Belief Kill, Belief Cure
Using animation to examine mental health care for the Black community in South London
The aim of this project is to address the stark healthcare inequalities for the black community in relation to mental health care in Southwark and Lambeth. For example, the incidence of psychosis among black and minority ethnic (BME) people is up to 14 times higher than for white people, while the prevalence is 2.7 times higher in inner city London boroughs compared to other locations. In their pathways to care, people in BME communities with a first episode of psychosis are twice as likely to access care via the police compared to their white counterparts. Service satisfaction locally is significantly lower among BME people. The scale of unmet need among the black population, with a range of mental health difficulties and the common use of faith communities as the first point of contact, indicates a clear requirement for better communication and joint working between NHS services and faith communities.
This is the Aim of the ONTRAC research project. This animation aims to begin to create a dialogue; to address the tension between these two groups which are currently disparate and disconnected. We want to ask questions about the impact of stigma, factors which prevent the black community from seeking help from mental health services and how we can work together to break down some of these barriers, inform the way services work and change the story. This animation will be used as a way of starting this conversation within faith communities and the NHS; we feel it will greatly enhance the impact of the ONTRAC research project.
Film coming soon.
Collaborators
Dr Louisa Codjoe - Department of Health Services and Population Research, King’s College London
Kate Anderson - lead artist
The ONTRAC research project was funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and supported by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR CLAHRC