In brief

Mental health care is a major issue for BME communities in the UK. BME groups tend to report negative experiences of mental health services and research has shown they have proportionately poorer outcomes than their white counterparts.

Feedback about mental health services from people from BME communities in Wakefield revealed mostly negative experiences. Issues included language problems, the needs for an advocate-like person, and the need for more support for the families of mental health patients.

The Wakefield shared leadership team, a group of multi-disciplinary organisations, has worked together to find ways to improve mental health outcomes for people from BME communities in the Wakefield area.

The aim of their shared leadership project was to improve understanding of, and access to, mental health services among the BME population.

The project involved a health promotion campaign, including mental health awareness sessions at a local mosque. It also initiated the introduction of equality and diversity workers based at the mosque and in the substance misuse service.

Evaluation of the project included interviews and focus groups with service users, and interviews with health professionals to gain insight into the entry points to mental health services for people from BME communities.

The project ran for two years from October 2007.