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In the UK, 1 in 4 of us are thought to have a common mental health problem. This may affect you personally or someone close to you.

Unfortunately, the rates of mental health problems are higher for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. 

Different communities understand and talk about mental health in different ways. In some communities, mental health problems are rarely recognised or spoken about. They may be seen as shameful or embarrassing. This can discourage people from talking about their mental health or seeking help (Mental Health Foundation).

As well as factors that can affect everyone’s mental health, people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic communities may also contend with racism, inequality and mental health stigma. 

Fear, stigma and lack of culturally sensitive treatment all act as barriers to accessing mental health care for people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic backgrounds (Rethink).

Research from HealthCare Quality Improvement Partnership's Mental Health Clinical Outcome Review reported that:

• 72% of all suicides include people who did not come into contact with mental health services in the 12 months before death, and those who are bereaved are at increased risk themselves.

According to the Government's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities revealed that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, and suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50 and women under 35

Furthermore, research from Mental Health Foundation have reported that in the UK:

• Black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than White people
• Black men are more likely to have experienced a psychotic disorder in the last year than White men
• Older South Asian women are an at-risk group for suicide
• Refugees and asylum seekers are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population, including higher rates of depression, anxiety and PTSD