Introduction
The mental health disparities faced by the English-speaking Afro-Caribbean diaspora living with psychosis in North America and the United Kingdom have been well-documented. However, the root causes of these disparities remain poorly understood. A recent scoping review titled “Dem sey mi mad”: a scoping review of the attitudes and beliefs of English-speaking Afro-Caribbeans about psychosis sheds light on the shared attitudes, beliefs, experiences, practices, and traditions of this community. This blog aims to help practitioners improve their skills by implementing the outcomes of the research presented or by encouraging them to conduct further research.
Key Themes from the Research
The scoping review highlighted five principal themes:
- The enduring effects of colonialism: The historical context of colonialism continues to impact the psychiatric care of Afro-Caribbean migrants, influencing both their mental health and the healthcare systems they interact with.
- Adaptation to migration: The process of adapting to new environments can exacerbate the experience of psychosis among Afro-Caribbean migrants, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive care.
- Cultural mistrust: A pervasive mistrust of psychiatry and mental health institutions exists within the Afro-Caribbean community, often due to historical and ongoing experiences of discrimination and bias.
- Collective approach to life: Afro-Caribbean culture places a strong emphasis on community and family, which can both support and hinder mental health recovery.
- Role of religion and spirituality: Spirituality plays a significant role in the understanding and management of psychosis within the Afro-Caribbean community.
Practical Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners working with Afro-Caribbean patients can benefit from understanding these themes and integrating them into their practice. Here are some practical steps:
- Enhance cultural competence: Engage in continuous education about the cultural backgrounds and historical contexts of Afro-Caribbean patients to better understand their perspectives and needs.
- Build trust: Establish trust by acknowledging past injustices and demonstrating a commitment to culturally sensitive care. This can help reduce cultural mistrust and improve patient engagement.
- Incorporate community and family: Leverage the collective nature of Afro-Caribbean culture by involving family and community members in the treatment process, which can enhance support and adherence to treatment plans.
- Respect spiritual beliefs: Recognize and respect the role of spirituality in the lives of Afro-Caribbean patients. Collaborate with spiritual leaders when appropriate to provide holistic care.
Encouraging Further Research
While this scoping review provides valuable insights, there is still much to learn about the mental health needs of the Afro-Caribbean community. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in further research to explore these themes in greater depth and to develop interventions that are tailored to the unique needs of this population.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: “Dem sey mi mad”: a scoping review of the attitudes and beliefs of English-speaking Afro-Caribbeans about psychosis.
