When it comes to mental health issues in the UK, the disparity between how people from black and ethnic minority communities are affected compared to their white counterparts, is stark.
As a black person in the UK, you are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act, while black men are 17 times more likely to have serious mental health issues such as bi-polar and schizophrenia.
Furthermore, black men are six times more likely to be an in-patient to a mental health facility than a white man.
Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic have only served to exacerbate things when it comes to the mental health challenges experienced by people within the black community.
This can largely be attributed to the fact that shocking statistics like this are largely rooted in the inequalities black people continue to face across society on a day-to-day basis.
Long-established societal mechanisms such as institutional racism, which has resulted in black people being viewed with less compassion and treated worse than their white counterparts, has meant pressure on those already struggling with their mental health has intensified under the immense weight of Covid-19.
“This speaks to the kind of systemic and structural inequities that we experienced in all aspects of our lives,” says Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE, Mental Health Equalities Advisor for NHS England.
“In terms of poor access to good housing, poor employment opportunities and being excluded from schools.
Dr Dyer, who is also president of the Mental Health Foundation, responsible for Mental Health Awareness Week UK, and was asked to be on the international advisory panel for the Oprah Winfrey Apple TV series The Me You Don’t See, which also featured Prince Harry, recognises that “right across the life course, there are barriers, challenges and obstacles that mean black people have a specific experience, which is about their racial identity.”
She adds: “Now, if you're having these sorts of challenges which manifest differently from your white peers or other groups, then you are more at risk of mental health challenges.”
Since the pandemic hit multiple published studies have confirmed that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in the UK are disproportionately at risk of infection and death from the virus, which has been reflected in the number of reported deaths of people from these communities.
While a government-commissioned report by Public Health England in June 2020 explicitly cited “ethnicity, racism and structural disadvantage” at the heart of these challenges.
“With a larger proportion of black people dying at a higher rate came a lot of anxiety and it brought a lot to the surface, a lot of questions, such as, ‘What is this injustice?” says Francesca Olaifa, a psychotherapist for the NHS.
“It was really disheartening when you then heard the facts, and once again saw the disparity in how black people are treated. The reality is that this can then lead to a reliving of already existing racial trauma, which has similar symptoms to PTSD, and for someone who already has a history of anxiety or suffers from depression, this can take you down a further spiral.”
The pandemic has also had a financial impact, with thousands losing their jobs, furloughed or living in fear of losing their jobs. Of those affected, a survey by the Hope Not Hate charitable trust found 22% of black, Asian and minority ethnic people had lost jobs due to the pandemic, compared with 13% of white respondents.
“Understandably, with that comes a lot of anxiety, worrying about the future, and asking yourself very scary questions such as: ‘Can I afford to pay my bills?’, ‘Can I pay for my mortgage, and keep a roof over my head? And ‘Can I feed my children?’” says Francesca.
“The pandemic and what has come with it is something that we have never seen before or experienced, so the first thing a lot of people experienced was panic and anxiety which was fuelled by a lot of uncertainty.”
Dr Jacqui Dyer is also the co-founder and chair of Lambeth’s Black Thrive, a strand of London Mayor Sadiq Khan ’s Thrive LDN initiative, which challenges mental health stigma. In this role she works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the borough’s Caribbean and African citizens; with addressing the inequities in the mental healthcare system at the forefront.
During the lockdown, in-person facilities to assist people with their mental health were largely closed down with the rest of the country, which Dr Dyer says encouraged a more creative and determined approach to her organisation’s support.
“Firstly, we did surveys to find out what people really needed and wanted, and through this we identified that we had to create a separate space for healing and therapy, which was black led, so we crowdfunded for that.
“Another element which we have been successful in developing is a culturally appropriate advocacy and peer support service, also black led and black delivered. This is a facility where people with lived experience of mental health challenges can support others experiencing similar vulnerability, but from a place of understanding the racialised life experience.”
When it comes to accessing support for mental health, an obvious mistrust of the system exists in the black community. This is in part driven by alarming statistics that state black people are 40% more likely to access treatment through a police or criminal justice route, less likely to receive psychological therapies and more likely to be compulsorily admitted for treatment.
Sadly, this can also mean those experiencing poor mental health or mental illness in the black community may choose to bottle things, up rather than speak out. And this is harder to spot in isolation or lockdown, or when people are working from home – one of the main legacies of the pandemic.
“In these kinds of situations, it is even more important to talk to someone and to know that you're not alone,” says Francesca. “There are services out there to support people, and in the first instance you can speak to your GP who will know if you need to get referred for psychological support.
She also urges people not to overlook some of the obvious and fundamental areas of self-care.
“There are basic things that can influence how you are feeling and functioning mentally, like making sure you are eating properly and getting the nutrients you need,” she says.
“Also, making sure you have a routine, as structure is quite helpful in a time when there's a lot of uncertainty. Taking time out to go outside and get some exercise and fresh air is also key.”
In addition, she recommends individuals work on not over-worrying about things they can’t control.
“Learn to focus on the present and not overly focus on the ‘what ifs’ of the future or ruminate too much about the past,” she advises. “Journaling can also be good in terms of processing difficulties and emotions.
And, you also need to make sure you get the right amount of sleep so that you feel energised and rejuvenated.”
How to get help: If you are struggling or you are worried about a loved one, contact Samaritans on 116123. For more advice visit nhs.uk/mental-health or www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus
