Why are ethnic minorities more likely than the general population to suffer from mental health problems?

Question

Department of Health, GB: "One in five mental health in-patients comes from a black and minority ethnic (BME) background, compared to about one in ten of the population as a whole"

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/Mentalhealth/BMEmentalhealth/index.htm

Answer 1

ethnic minorities usually have the most enviromental contamination to put up with... and the least space.

Answer 2

There is a disproportionate number of ethnic minority people in menal health facilities (including prison ones) in the UK. They are indeed more likely to suffer mental health problems. Also, they suffer higher rates of poverty in the UK.

However, I must stress that it has nothing to do with race/ethnicity (well in certain situations I suppose ethnicity could be a factor, but never race, and no, they are not the same thing). It's social factors surrounding ethnic/racial factors.

Answer 3

Mental health problems are not unique to minorities. It is their access to health care or lack there of, at an early age where identification of the early onset of mental illness can be found.

You also must look at the social norms of some of the subgroups to see how these people view mental illness. Many cultural subgroups believe that mental illness brings dishonor or even bad luck if a family member is known to be mentally unstable.

So while you may be correct that it appears that the minorities suffer more mental illness, other factors are involved that dry statics cannot tell us.

Answer 4

Everyone has the same mental health risks/problems. White, black or green with polka dots it doesn't matter.

Maybe it's the NHS and governments insistence in focusing our efforts on highlighting and putting more resources into problems with people in an ethnic monority that the statistic shows this?

Answer 5

Well, one in five isn't the majority.....it's 20 percent. That means that 80 percent is NOT an ethnic minority, right?

Answer 6

Well they tend to have more social problems than most like racism and poor housing. They also lack the amount of sunlight their bodies are used to. Their body systems are geared for different foods and climate and it can take many generations for them to adjust.

You have to recognise that they are living in a totally different culture.

A lot could be done to ease this in balance by raising the housing standards, reducing racism and raising understanding of other peoples cultures and needs!!

Answer 7

i disagree with your statement everyone walks a fine line between mental stability everyday and the ethnic minorities as you call them are just the same as the majority!

Answer 8

treated like dirt by white majority.

Answer 9

where are your statistics to prove this....other than those composed by ethnic minorities?

Answer 10

here it is a case of vice versa