A Faculty Where Dr. Joyce P. Chu Leads A New Research Group that Trains Ph.D. Students In Mental Health Services for Ethnic Minorities

BackgroundInformation on suicide by psychiatric patients from ethnic minority groups is scarce.AimsTo establish the number of patients from ethnic minorities who kill themselves; to describe their suicide methods, and their social and clinical characteristics.MethodA national clinical survey was based on a 4-year sample of suicides in England and Wales. Detailed data were collected on those who had been in contact with mental health services in the year before death.ResultsIn total 282 patients from ethnic minorities died by suicide – 6% of all patient suicides. The most common method of suicide was hanging; violent methods were more common than in White patient suicides. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis. Ethnic minority patients were more likely to have been unemployed than White patients and to have had a history of violence and recent non-compliance. In around half, this was the first episode of self-harm. Black Caribbean patients had the highest rates of schizophrenia (74%), unemployment, living alone, previous violence and drug misuse.ConclusionsIn order to reduce the number of suicides byethnicminority patients, services should address the complex health and social needs of people with severe mental illness.

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Helping Abused Children from Various Minorities in the Greek Context

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S622-S622

Author(s):

A. Kanellopoulos ◽

K. Dionysopoulou ◽

X. Antoniou ◽

E. Marini ◽

G. Nikolaidis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Ethnic Minorities ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Quality Care ◽

Psychosocial Rehabilitation ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

Social Model ◽

Racial And Ethnic Minorities

IntroductionChildren's abuse and neglect is widely studied as a major risk factor for emotional and behavioural disorders, various somatic and psychiatric problems during adulthood.ObjectiveMental health is fundamental to health. Mental illnesses are real, disabling conditions affecting all populations regardless of race or ethnicity but disparities in mental health services exist for racial and ethnic minorities, and thus, mental illnesses exact a greater toll on their overall health and productivity.AimThe most important aim when working with ethnic minorities is to better understand the roles of culture, race and ethnicity, and overcome obstacles that would keep anyone with mental health problems from seeking or receiving effective treatment.MethodsThe Day Centre “The House of the Child” is a community unit which provides customized clinical mental health services for therapeutic treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation of children victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. The Day Centre was founded by the non-profit voluntary organization “THE SMILE OF THE CHILD”. The services are based on the bio-psycho-social model approach and treatment, which aim at early detection, and treatment of possible mental disorders and the overall psychosocial rehabilitation of victims of abuse/neglect and the support of their carers.ResultsBy identifying the many barriers to quality care faced by racial and ethnic minorities, the Day Center provides mental health services also to children who come from minority populations.ConclusionsDifferent case studies highlight challenges and various levels of difficulties in this specific scheme of cooperation aiming to open an interesting dialogue on the topic.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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