Race and mental health: there is more to race than racism

Abstract

Some minority ethnic groups in England and Wales have higher rates of admission for mental illness and more adverse pathways to care. Are the resulting accusations of institutional racism within psychiatry justified?

Predictors of engagement in first-episode psychosis

“…There is conflicting evidence regarding levels of disengagement amongst black and minority ethnic (BME) groups (Singh and Burns, 2006). Whilst some studies have found greater disengagement and less satisfaction with services (McGovern and Cope, 1991;McCreadie et al, 1997;Wang, 2007), others have found no difference or greater engagement amongst BME groups (Bindman et al, 2000;Goater et al, 1999;Takei, Persaud, Woodruff, Brockington, & Murray, 1998;Raleigh et al, 2007).…”

Letter to the Editor: Response to ‘The social determinants of psychosis in migrant and ethnic minority populations: a public health tragedy’

“…Morgan & Hutchinson's (2009) timely review on the social determinants of psychosis in ethnic minority groups is the latest in a series of papers challenging the assertion that such high rates are related to ' institutional racism ' in psychiatry (Singh & Burns, 2006 ;Murray & Fearon, 2007 ;Singh, 2007). A high rate of psychosis in immigrants is not a new finding, having been first reported in the 1930s by Odegaard and since then repeatedly replicated.…”

Institutional racism in psychiatry: lessons from inquiries

“…Singh & Burns (2006) have been very courageous in challenging the idea that British psychiatry is institutionally racist, and not unexpectedly have provoked reaction. What has been more surprising is the extent to which this has provoked strong criticism of Professor Singh among psychiatric colleagues.…”

“…This reaction was prompted by a paper suggesting that racism was perhaps not the only explanation for ethnic differences in rates of psychosis and detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 (Singh & Burns, 2006). Although not providing a scientific criticism of the BMJ paper or any evidence to the contrary, the President stated that the paper risked setting 'psychiatry back by 20 years' (Hollins & Moodley 2006).…”