Racism and mental health

In 2020, we released our anti-racist statement to acknowledge, challenge, and tackle racism and health inequalities.

“We feel the pain, and hear the outrage, of all those facing injustice and we have a responsibility to speak out and take action. It is the only way forward to achieve our vision of a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities.”

Our anti-racist core values are:

• There is no room for neutrality,
• We can, and must, do better,
• We are all enriched by our differences,
• Empty rhetoric makes no difference.

Our colleagues at Tameside and Glossop child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have done a piece of work on racism and mental health, with a pledge to patients and everyone who uses our services. You can read this below.

We are also part of and guided by North West Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group.

How racism can affect mental health

Racism still exists today and impacts all levels of society and all ages. Racism is where someone is treated differently because they speak a different language, their skin colour is different, or they belong to a specific religious group.

You may see and hear racism being talked about on the news, you may experience it on social media, in school, at work, in your community, or in sport.

Over the years derogatory beliefs have developed about people from different racial groups, which may be applied to every person who is thought of as different.  This can cause inequality or unfairness and people can develop mental health problems from being treated in racist ways.

How racism may have affected you…

• Being called racist names because the colour of your skin, having certain facial features or because of the food you eat.
• Seeing other people get treated differently because the colour of their skin.
• People pretending there is no racism when your experiences may be different.
• Your struggles or difficulties being misinterpreted as something else.
• People making racists ’jokes’ when you are around.
• Being treated differently because of your ethnic background.
• Being excluded from friends or activities because of your ethnic background.
• Being told that your skin is too dark.
• Being ridiculed for your name.
• Monkey noises being made towards you.
• There may also be other ways you have experienced racism.

Having these experiences can make you feel fearful, and you may feel like no one understands or is listening to you. This can cause you to feel upset which over time can continue into low mood.

You may also feel isolated, unsure of yourself, or may think you need to change who you are because of your experiences. Sometimes this can make you feel anxious or have thoughts of self-harm.

Memories of racism can be traumatic, and it may be that you need help to think about these events.

You should not be discriminated against just because your skin colour is different, you speak a different language, or have a different religion. Everyone is human and deserves to be cared for, protected, and helped.

Our pledge to you

• We recognise that racism continues to affect people in the UK and around the world and we oppose racism.
• We are committed to better understanding your individual experience and are interested to explore if you have faced or are facing any form of racism or discrimination.
• We will continue to learn how racism manifests itself and how we can practice in non-discriminatory way.
• When we identify racism, we will challenge this.
• We want to recognise, accept, and celebrate difference.
• We value and will welcome feedback from people belonging to Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups about how we can improve your experiences of our service.
• We want to ensure that you receive the correct treatment, therapy, or service to meet your mental health needs, regardless of your ethnicity.

If you have a complaint or compliment here’s what you can do….

• Firstly, you can speak to your keyworker or care coordinator if you are/ are not happy about your care.
• You can also contact the service and ask to speak to the service manager directly.
• If you prefer, you can also contact the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) or complaints team:

PALS – pals.penninecare@nhs.net or 0161 716 3083

Complaints - complaints.penninecare@nhs.net or 0161 716 3083