Black Africans in the UK’s experiences of treatment for common mental disorders and their strategies for maintaining their ongoing mental wellbeing

In the UK, mental health disorders are responsible for the largest proportion of the total burden of disease. Common mental disorders (CMD) such as depression, anxiety and stress related conditions are the leading cause of sickness absence. The proportion of people with a mental disorder accessing treatment has increased, although it is estimated that c75% of people may not access treatment services. People from White British backgrounds are more likely to receive treatment (13%) compared to BAME groups (7%). The lowest proportion of people receiving treatment are Black ethnic groups compared to their population in England. In order to improve uptake, it is essential to understand what drives engagement with services amongst Black Africans and how they maintain their mental wellbeing. This thesis aims to contribute towards providing a more holistic picture of the pathway to care, treatment and ongoing wellbeing maintenance amongst Black Africans to further inform strategies, service planning and delivery. A qualitative research methodology was adopted; in-depth interviews with sixteen participants were conducted to explore experiences of Black Africans with a CMD. Interviewees were split into four categories based on the theoretical framework used, Kleinman et al., (1978) model of healthcare system and explanatory model of illness. The categories were people with a CMD, family/friends supporting someone with a CMD, mental health professionals and traditional healer/faith leader that support people with a CMD. The findings showed that perceptions of mental illness are key in how people make sense of the symptoms they experience. Stigma and fear of judgement is viewed as being present across the ‘system’ including healthcare, which impacts health seeking behaviour. Motivations for seeking support were based on the need to get ‘fixed’, as people reached a point of being unable to cope on their own or crisis point. Two approaches used to maintain wellbeing are coping strategies learnt through therapy and having a social support network