Mental health services 'failing ethnic minority children'

Mental health services are not doing enough to help young people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, who sometimes require culturally sensitive support, a report has claimed.

The study, from the Afiya Trust, found that BME children are often overlooked by mainstream public services and programmes.

It also revealed that there is no information on how many of the 20 per cent of young people with mental health problems are from a BME background, who may be subject to an increased risk of bullying or isolation.

"The Afiya Trust commissioned this report in recognition that BME children and young people's mental health and wellbeing is being systematically failed by education, criminal justice, health and social care services," said Patrick Vernon, chief executive of the Afiya Trust.

Recently, the HealthWatch Advisory Group invited suggestions as to how the health system can address issues of racial inequality.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.