Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 477. doi: 10.1192/pb.26.12.477
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 477
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Elders
Council Report 103. £5.00. 14 pp.
Psychiatric services for black and minority ethnic elders have to-date
received little attention. This is understandable, as the 1991 census revealed
the number of white elders as 10 times greater than that of elders from all
minority groups. This quantitative relationship may change with the 2001
census. The diversity of ethnic origins in small cohorts scattered throughout
the UK, and the lack of knowledge about how to access services has led to an
under-representation of the psychiatric needs of this population. To compound
this situation, traditional beliefs held by ethnic elders and a firm view that
support will be forthcoming from the extended family are frequently not shared
by the younger ethnic minority population. Information about mental health
issues is currently not effective, as it relies on translated leaflets and
posters rather than on more appropriate mechanisms such as disseminating
information through GPs and other stakeholders.
It is recommended at present that all acute psychiatric services for ethnic
elders involving assessment and treatment should remain within mainstream
psychiatric services. An emphasis of ethnic awareness and sensitivity by
training staff in culturally sensitive issues is to be encouraged. Services
providing continuing care in the community should be developed specifically
for the appropriate user group. Efforts could be made to recruit a racial mix
for multi-disciplinary staff reflecting the population served. Two earlier
Council Reports (CR10 and CR48; Royal College of Psychiatrists,
1990,
1996, respectively) and a
recent working party chaired by Professor John Cox reinforced by the
National Framework for Older People
(Department of Health, 2001) made the point that ethnic elders need accessible and appropriate mental
health services.
There is an urgent need to establish a reliable and informative database of
good practice for ethnic elders. A way forward is to create a website linked
to the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry's website at the College. This new
development will also serve the purpose of offering interested specialist
registrars opportunities for their special interest sessions and could lead to
research defining the appropriate services for ethnic elders. There is a
wealth of projects still to be explored.
References
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (2001) National
Service Framework for Older People. London: Department of
Health.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS (1990)
Psychiatric Practice and Training in British Multi-ethnic
Society. Council Report CR10. London: Royal College of
Psychiatrists.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS (1996)
Report of the Working Party to Review Psychiatric Practice and
Training in a Multi-ethnic Society. Council Report CR48. London:
Royal College of Psychiatrists.
