Singh, Swaran P., Greenwood, Nan, White, Sarah and Churchill, Rachel (2007) Ethnicity and the Mental Health Act 1983. British Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 191 (Number 2). pp. 99-105. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.106.030346 ISSN 0007-1250.

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Abstract

Background Black and minority ethnic (BME) patients are disproportionately detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. There has been no systematic exploration of differences within and between ethnic groups, nor of the explanations put forward for this excess.
Aims To systematically review detention and ethnicity, with meta-analyses of detention rates for BME groups, and to explore the explanations offered for ethnic differences in detention rates.

Method Literature search and meta-analysis. Explanations offered were categorised, supporting literature was accessed and the strength of the evidence evaluated.

Results In all, 49 studies met inclusion criteria; of these, 19 were included in the meta-analyses. Compared with White patients, Black patients were 3.83 times, BME patients 3.35 times and Asian patients 2.06 times more likely to be detained. The most common explanations related to misdiagnosis and discrimination against BME patients, higher incidence of psychosis and differences in illness expression. Many explanations, including that of racism within mental health services, were not supported by clear evidence.

Conclusions Although BME status predicts psychiatric detention in the UK, most explanations offered for the excess detention of BME patients are largely unsupported.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Great Britain. Mental Health Act 1983, Blacks -- Mental health services, Asians -- Mental health services, Discrimination in mental health services, Race discrimination
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher:	Royal College of Psychiatrists
ISSN:	0007-1250
Official Date:	2007
Dates:	Date Event 2007 Published
Volume:	Volume 191
Number:	Number 2
Page Range:	pp. 99-105
DOI:	10.1192/bjp.bp.106.030346
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Funder:	Great Britain. Dept. of Health (DoH)

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