A rapid review of the effectiveness of interventions to enhance equitable or overall access to mental health services by ethnic minority groups

Background

Inequalities in access to mental health services is an important societal issue. It is known that ethnic minority groups experience more barriers to accessing mental health services and poorer mental health outcomes than those from non-ethnic minority groups.
 
Evidence suggests interventions that improve access and engagement with mental health services can help reduce these inequalities.

Aim

This rapid review aims to explore which interventions work to improve equal access, health service engagement, provision and use of mental health services for ethnic minority groups.

Findings

14 studies dating to December 2023 were identified and reviewed, and included a range of ethnicities, mental health needs, and multiple levels where change could happen (e.g., individual, intrapersonal, community or organisational level).

There was limited evidence to support effectiveness of psycho-educational interventions in improving help-seeking behaviours, reducing depression stigma and initial attendance.

Evidence to support effectiveness of multi-component interventions within healthcare settings, i.e. those incorporating language support in mental health services and enhancing cultural competency of mental health services was inconclusive. Some studies pointed to improved outcomes due to these adaptations, while others showed no significant differences compared to control groups.

However, there was a fair level of evidence to support effectiveness of integrating specialist mental health services within primary care (e.g. GP surgeries), with attendance being influenced by ethnicity, and limited impact on anxiety and depression levels.

Research Implication and Evidence Gaps:

Future research should prioritise rigorous study designs, and should include comparison between outcomes for ethnic minority participants and white participants.

Policy and Practice Implications:

Findings support effectiveness of: psycho-educational interventions delivered in a culturally appropriate way, integration of speciality mental health services within primary care settings, inclusion of professional language support to improve accessibility, and training for healthcare providers to raise cultural sensitivity and competence.

Economic Considerations:

As ethnic minority individuals are disproportionately affected by economic factors relating to poor mental health, future research should investigate economic benefit in improving access to mental health services for these individuals, from NHS and societal perspectives.
 

Lay Summary written by Olivia Gallen

 

The full rapid review is now available to view here. 

This study is linked to a Rapid Evidence Summary, also produced by the Evidence Centre.