Why Black History Month is important to me

Dr MaryAnn Ferreux shares how her passion for health equity drives her to raise awareness of the inequalities that face the black community and how Health Innovation KSS is working towards creating a more inclusive health and care system.

Black History Month gives us time to recognise and celebrate the contributions and experiences of Black people living in the UK. It serves as a reminder that Black history is an integral part of the UK’s history and culture.

Within health and care, it’s also an opportunity for us to raise awareness of the health inequalities that face Black communities and to increase our understanding of institutional racism that exists in mental health. Black History Month inspires us to work together to promote inclusivity and cultural safety, and ultimately achieve positive social change across our community – not just for this month, but always.

Health inequalities

The inequalities that face Black people in healthcare are widespread and pervasive.

One example of where we can see these inequalities clearly is in mental health. We know that the Black community is at a higher risk of developing a mental health problem but are less likely to receive support for their mental health¹. A disproportionate number of Black people are also detained under the Mental Health Act and rates of detention are over four times higher than those of White groups. Black people are also over four times more likely to be the subject of ‘restrictive interventions’ such as being chemically restrained or held in isolation while in hospital.²

Health equity is the goal to enable all people to achieve their optimal level of health. At Health Innovation KSS we are committed to promoting health equity and creating a more inclusive health and care system. I am passionate about fighting for social justice and addressing the systemic inequalities within healthcare. Find out more about our work in health inequalities here.

Cultural safety

Cultural safety is also paramount when it comes to health equity. It is critical that we all work to address bias and prejudice in our work, and champion for equality, diversity, and inclusion. Cultural competence is a lifelong process of developing cultural sensitivity involving cultural awareness, knowledge, skill and empathy. It involves understanding one’s own cultural identity and biases while learning about and respecting the cultural backgrounds of those we interact with.

We recently published a new intercultural awareness toolkit to support those working with asylum seekers and migrants, alongside out partners at ARC KSS and Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre. These groups of people face unique challenges such as trauma from displacement, cultural dislocation and the stress of adapting to a new environment. They may also experience language barriers, legal uncertainties and discrimination. The toolkit aims to provide those working with migrants and asylum seekers with practical tips to implement intercultural awareness within their organisations and tools to help build an understanding of their clients’ identities. Find out more and access the toolkit here.

Taking action

My hope for Black History Month is that we can use this time to feel inspired to worth together and to achieve positive social change across our communities. I think Black History Month is a time for us to listen, reflect and action change. Because, as Justin Jones-Fosu said, “Diversity and inclusion is not just what we have to do; it’s about who we choose to be!”

References:

1. [ARCHIVED CONTENT] Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2014 – NHS Digital (nationalarchives.gov.uk)
2. Mental Health Act Statistics, Annual Figures – 2020-21 – NHS England Digital