"Crazy person is crazy person. It doesn't differentiate": an exploration into Somali views of mental health and access to healthcare in an established UK Somali community.

Journal: International journal for equity in health

Volume: 19

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, - Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS NU, UK. catherine.linney@bristol.ac.uk. Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, - Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS NU, UK. ARC West, Bristol, UK. Golden Key, Bristol, UK. Somali Resource Centre, Bristol, UK.

Abstract summary 

Mental health conditions have been shown to disproportionately affect those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Somali communities globally have relatively high levels of mental illness, but low levels of mental health service use, with numerous barriers to care identified. This study was conducted in an established UK Somali community in the South West of England and aimed to explore community beliefs and views about the causes of mental illness, treatment for mental illness, and access to medical services in general. Participants were asked about how mental health and illness are understood and conceptualised, along with the cultural meaning of mental illness and its manifestations in relation to men, women and young people.Using a community-based participatory research design, in partnership with local Somali community organisations, the research team conducted four focus groups with a total of 23 participants aged over 18. Open-ended questions were used to facilitate discussion. Transcripts were analysed thematically.The participants discussed the role of migration and associated stress from the civil war and how that could contribute to mental illness. Participants tended to view the symptoms of mental illness as physical manifestations such as headaches and to describe a strong community stigma where those with mental health conditions were viewed as "crazy" by others. Barriers to accessing healthcare included language barriers, waiting times and a mistrust of doctors. Various ideas for improvements were discussed, including ideas to reduce stigma and ideas for community initiatives.Cultural considerations and reducing stigma are vital in improving understanding of mental illness and improving access to mental health services, along with building relationships and trust between the Somali community and health care workers.

Authors & Co-authors:  Linney Catherine C Ye Siyan S Redwood Sabi S Mohamed Abdi A Farah Abdullahi A Biddle Lucy L Crawley Esther E

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  McManus S, Bebbington P, Jenkins R, Brugha T. Mental health and wellbeing in England: adult psychiatric morbidity survey 2014. Leeds: NHS Digital; 2016.
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 190
SSN : 1475-9276
Study Population
Women
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Mali
Publication Country
England