Positive Steps online
Supporting race equality in mental healthcare
Good practice > Partnership working: engaging communities
In centres around the country, practitioners are developing innovative approaches to service provision. This online resource offers some suggestions for each of DRE's building blocks of good service. The key to success is often the links practitioners forge with their local communities. The best guide to community working on the ground will be your local Community Development Worker (CDW). For more information about how they can help and where they are, contact your local Race Equality Lead.
Good practice > The view from the ground
There are Race Equality leads working in communities around the country. Here are some of their thoughts on how to forge successful partnerships:
"Partnership work is essential. If you work in isolation, from the outside you will only succeed in dictating to the community. It's far better to work from the inside, hand in hand with local partners."
"Communication is everything. Straight talking and open, honest dialogue will help you win the respect of community members. Let people know what you're seeking to achieve, and how a partnership approach will be mutually beneficial."
"Keep everyone in the loop at all times. Build email networks and send out information regularly. If matters arise that you think need some explanation, explain them to everyone. The more included and 'in the know' people feel, the more engaged and enthusiastic they're likely to be."
"Be prepared to lead, but also to be led. Be prepared to be surprised and to learn from everyone you interact with. Taxi drivers and cleaners always give you the best perspective on how an organisation works."
"Whenever you can, drop in on local organisations and groups. Maintaining a visual presence helps build trust and reassurance."
"If you're desk-bound, make sure you have good monitoring mechanisms in place so you can receive regular updates from the frontline. You need a clear picture of what's going on in the community, on the wards and in in-patient units."
"It's important to respect professional differences. Honesty and appreciation are essential. Admit to what you can't do, and identify those areas where others can help. Share your expertise and learn from one another. Remember, you're on this journey together."
Good practice > Hints and tips: positive steps to inclusive service
There are Race Equality leads working in communities around the country. Here are some of their thoughts on how to forge successful partnerships:
1. Entering mental health services can be frightening for any patient. Encouraging a member of the family, community or friend (with expertise in translation if necessary) to be present during the first interview can help to ease a patient into care
2. Services that involve users and carers in their delivery plans often find new and innovative ideas for keeping treatment and recovery on track.
3. Engagement and outreach is an important part of reducing people's fear of mental illness and encouraging people to seek help earlier. It can be useful to speak to community groups, faith organisations and health forums to promote wellbeing and prevention messages to all communities.
4 Successful services use a patient-centred approach, seeing the person not the condition or culture. One way to address this issue is to see each of your patients as having unique issues, needs and fears.
5. It may be appropriate to explore a range of treatment options that are relevant to each patient, including talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapies, which can lead to more favourable patient outcomes than medication alone.
6. Faith and spirituality can often help patients' recovery, and play an important role in many communities' mental health. It can be useful to understand the basics of different faiths and involve faith leaders in how your services are delivered.
7. Certain communities, particularly African Caribbean and other Black men, are disproportionately referred to in-patient services or secure units through the criminal justice system. Mental health workers can help educate local criminal justice colleagues in the police, prison and probation services.
8. Contact the race equality lead for your area for individual advice on simple steps you can take locally.
9. Use the Positive Steps material to find out more about good practice in services like yours
10. Share your positive experiences through team meetings or via your nearest DRE representative - you may found have the solution to a problem a colleague has been restling with for weeks!