AFRICAN CARIBBEANS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL

That this House believes that the Mental Health Bill 2006 will have a negative impact on African Caribbeans and other ethnic minorities statistically more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder; notes that African Caribbean communities have detention rates 44 per cent. higher than white British people; expresses concern that African Caribbeans are more likely to be placed in seclusion, forcibly restrained, misdiagnosed and over medicated; supports the work of Black Mental Health UK to address social exclusion and stigma associated with mental illness; recognises that this work is supported by more than 30 mental health and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) organisations including the National BME Mental Health Network; believes in the fundamental importance of combating discriminatory practices; acknowledges the concerns of many of those working in mental health services that the Mental Health Bill 2006 could exacerbate unequal treatment; and calls on the Government to take steps to ensure that this legislation will reduce and not perpetuate discrimination against African Caribbeans.