Ethnic mental health Carer Forum Update February 2025

The National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum convened to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by minority carers in accessing mental health services. The meeting focused on strategies to improve cultural competence, equitable treatment, and accessibility within mental health care systems. A key topic was the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), with organizations sharing their experiences and plans for implementation. Additionally, the discussion covered language barriers, education initiatives, and the role of co-production in fostering inclusive care.

Mental Health act research

Dr Judy, a researcher from the University of Bristol, discussed her ongoing project on the nearest relative provision in the Mental Health Act and the need for co-produced resources to support those in this role. She also mentioned the support from charitable organizations like Mind and Rethink.

Matthew ended the conversation by sharing his screen for a discussion on the challenges minority carers face.w led discussions on the unique challenges ethnic minority carers face in mental health services, including:

  • Stigma and attitudes towards mental health within communities.
  • Mistrust of mental health services due to past discrimination and systemic racism.
  • Lack of culturally competent care, leaving many without appropriate support.
  • Language barriers that make accessing services difficult.
  • Under-representation of ethnic minorities in mental health professions.
  • Financial and logistical constraints that disproportionately impact Black and ethnic minority carers.
  • Overuse of coercive practices in mental health settings.
  • Limited peer support networks for minority carers.

The forum emphasized the need for culturally aware strategies that go beyond clinical settings and integrate into community-based mental health support systems.

Enhancing Education and Accessibility

To bridge language barriers and improve accessibility, Matthew and other speakers discussed:

  • Translation services and ways to improve their integration into mental health care.
  • Community engagement strategies to build trust between ethnic minority groups and healthcare providers.
  • The importance of cultural competency training for mental health professionals.
  • Solution-focused approaches to make complaint systems fair and accessible.

A carer suggested utilizing Zoom’s translation feature to assist non-English speakers in virtual meetings, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and equitable communication.

Promoting PCREF and Cultural Competency

Matthew shared a video presentation on the significance of the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), reinforcing the importance of:

  • Co-production and patient/carer leadership in shaping mental health services.
  • Steering groups and training programs to promote cultural competency in healthcare institutions.
  • Neurodiversity awareness and racial equality as critical elements of the Culture of Care initiative.

Members discussed ways to increase awareness and drive institutional support for PCREF within mental health trusts.

PCREF Implementation and Advocacy Challenges

Matthew and attendees provided updates on PCREF’s implementation across different organizations. The discussion highlighted:

  • The need for stronger promotion and awareness among senior mental health professionals.
  • Debbie the PCREF carer lead from west london health nhs trust initiative to secure funding from Turning Point’s Innovation Fund to enhance PCREF awareness.
  • Another NHS trust PCREF carer volunteer talked about preparations for the upcoming Race Awareness Conference, requiring additional resources to effectively advocate for PCREF.

The group agreed that job descriptions for carer leads and service user leads should be standardized across trusts to ensure equitable representation in leadership roles.

Centralized PCREF Resources and Volunteer Support

  • Matthew confirmed the existence of two PCREF websites and provided links for further reference.
  • A carer, stepping into a new volunteer role, expressed a need for more guidance on PCREF responsibilities and advocacy.
  • An attendee raised concerns about the lack of hard data supporting key PCREF initiatives, leading Matthew to share research links and statistical insights.
  • Another PCREF carer lead proposed aligning job descriptions for carers and service user leads, setting a precedent for other trusts to follow.
  • A carer invovled in PCREF highlighted the need for NHS email registration to access vital resources on NHS England’s website.

Conclusion

The National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum continues to serve as an essential space for discussing systemic challenges, sharing lived experiences, and pushing for policy changes that support ethnic minority carers.

Advocacy, education, and cultural competence remain key priorities in ensuring that Black and ethnic minority carers receive fair, accessible, and effective mental health support. Moving forward, sustained efforts are needed to drive institutional change, secure funding for minority-led initiatives, and elevate the voices of carers in decision-making spaces.