Attitudes To and Knowledge of CAMHS: Differences Between Pakistani and White British Mothers

Abstract

Background: Research suggests that there are differences in the problems that are referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) by White British and Asian families as well as differences in how these services are accessed. There is a need for more information about how different ethnic communities perceive and access CAMH services. Method: White British or Pakistani mothers of children between 0-20 years at an urban health centre were invited to complete a study-specific questionnaire written in English (with verbal translation provided when needed). Data were collected on awareness and experience of, and willingness to use CAMH services; severity of problems before referral is considered and additional factors that influence service use. Results: In comparison to White British mothers, Pakistani mothers were found to be less likely to consider a referral for problems judged as mild or moderate. There was no difference for severe problems. Qualitative factors that would enhance the use of CAMH services by Pakistani mothers include the availability of culture and gender matched therapists, and better access to translation facilities. Conclusions: The study highlights service needs and expectations of mothers of Pakistani origin, and emphasises the need for relevant, inclusive and culturally sensitive services.

ADHD medication in offspring of immigrants — does the income level of the country of parental origin matter?

“…This suggests that a higher degree of deviance was present before ADHD was considered by these immigrant parents. Another study found that Pakistani women living in the UK were less likely to access mental health services for conditions judged as mild or moderate [ 19 ].…”

Reflections on the challenges of understanding racial, cultural and sexual differences in couple relationship research

“…The literature on cross-cultural family therapy shows that, although cultural and ethnic matching can ease the engagement process and hence improve outcomes (Ito and Maramba, 2002 ), it can also contribute to clients' worries about confidentiality and lead to therapists' losing curiosity (Singh, 2013 ). While South Asian children and adolescents in families may be more at risk for mental health difficulties than their White English counterparts, they are far less likely to access child and adolescent mental health services (Raval, 2003 ; Stein et al ., 2003 ). One possible reason why they do not access services is that clinicians may draw on Western notions of the family (Singh, 2009 ) and the couple and hence unwittingly pathologize or fail to recognize the strengths, resiliencies and resources of the extended families that they meet in their consulting rooms.…”

Building Bridges in Liverpool: Delivering CAMHS to Black and Minority Ethnic Children and their Families

“…Studies have found over-referral of white children by GPs, black and South Asian children by specialist doctors and education services, and of dual-heritage children by social services (Daryanani et al, 2001;Lamb et al, 2002). Bangladeshi and other South Asian families were also less likely than white families to self-refer or seek treatment for mild or moderate difficulties (Lamb et al, 2002;Messent & Murrell, 2003;Stein et al, 2003;Shah et al, 2004). It has long been accepted that experiences of discrimination and disadvantage result in significant barriers to the use of statutory services by people from minority ethnic groups.…”

“…It has long been accepted that experiences of discrimination and disadvantage result in significant barriers to the use of statutory services by people from minority ethnic groups. The research literature suggests that BME people have often had negative experiences with statutory services (Fatimilehin & Coleman, 1999), have little confidence in the ability of services to understand and meet their needs (Street et al, 2005), experience a lack of appropriate and accessible information about existing services (Fatimilehin & Coleman, 1999;Messent & Murrell, 2003), experience language and communication barriers in using services (Fatimilehin & Nadirshaw, 1994;Stein et al, 2003;Malek, 2004), and can experience different, more coercive treatment as a result of the racial stereotypes held by professionals. In addition, people from BME communities are often concerned about issues of confidentiality and stigma associated with the use of mental health services (Fatimilehin & Coleman, 1998;Street et al, 2005).…”