From pathology to postmodernism: a debate on ‘race’ and mental health

Anti-oppressive Practice in Mental Health

“…Research has indicated that only a small percentage of people from non-Western cultures utilize mental health services (Li & Browne, 2000;Martin, 2003;Naidoo, 1992;Stefl & Prosperi, 1985). At the same time there is evidence that some ethnic groups and women are overrepresented in psychiatric facilities and that they often experience exclusion and infringement of their civil rights (Desai, 2003;Levine, 1989;Martin, 2003). From these two extremes one might speculate that Western medical perspectives are neither sensitive to nor helpful with culture and gender differences, yet at the same time they are used to further the social inequality of some groups.…”

“…From these two extremes one might speculate that Western medical perspectives are neither sensitive to nor helpful with culture and gender differences, yet at the same time they are used to further the social inequality of some groups. Desai (2003) suggests that "race" and psychiatry are inextricably linked, and that in the United Kingdom Black African Caribbean people have been disadvantaged and abused in mental health settings. Others have written about the medicalization of women's issues (Martin, 2003) and the place of racism, classism, and ethnocentrism in mental health systems (Desai, 2003Solomon, 1976.…”

“…Desai (2003) suggests that "race" and psychiatry are inextricably linked, and that in the United Kingdom Black African Caribbean people have been disadvantaged and abused in mental health settings. Others have written about the medicalization of women's issues (Martin, 2003) and the place of racism, classism, and ethnocentrism in mental health systems (Desai, 2003Solomon, 1976. Although some have written about culturally appropriate methods.…”