“We need to slowly break down this barrier”: understanding the barriers and facilitators that Afro-Caribbean undergraduates perceive towards accessing mental health services in the UK
Journal of Public Mental Health
ISSN: 1746-5729
Article publication date: 7 February 2020
Issue publication date: 23 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Undergraduates are highly susceptible to the development of mental health difficulties. Afro-Caribbean students are particularly vulnerable to the pressures of university yet are less likely than other ethnic groups to receive early intervention. This paper aims to understand the barriers and facilitators that Afro-Caribbean undergraduates perceive towards accessing mental health services in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Critical Incident Technique was used as the qualitative method because it explores the critical factors that contribute to or detract from a specific experience. Seventeen Afro-Caribbean undergraduates participated in five focus groups. This involved engaging in a novel psychosocial activity that incorporated vignettes to encourage the identification of barriers and facilitators to service access. The data were analysed thematically to generate categories of critical incidents and wish-list items.
Findings
Analysis revealed rich data from a sub-group rarely researched within UK literature. Fifteen barriers, eleven facilitators and five wish-list items were identified. The importance of mental health literacy, social networks, cultural sensitivity and concerns surrounding services underpinned many categories.
Originality/value
Findings provide a new perspective on barriers reported in previous literature. Novel facilitators were highlighted where, although psychological and sociocultural factors were deemed valuable, structural changes were most desired. Recommended changes illustrate innovative interventions that could make services accessible for young adult Afro-Caribbean populations. Future research should explore the barriers and facilitators identified by Afro-Caribbean undergraduates across various universities who have successfully accessed and engaged with services. This could provide a holistic perspective on viable facilitators enabling access despite the presence of barriers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank every single participant who helped shed light on this very important matter. A special thanks also goes to the field experts for taking the time to provide their invaluable opinions on the research findings. Finally, they would like to dedicate this study to all the Afro-Caribbean students who, within the spectrum of what we call mental health, may be experiencing difficulties. It is hoped that this piece of work provides with some form of a voice.
Citation
Sancho, T.N. and Larkin, M. (2020), "“We need to slowly break down this barrier”: understanding the barriers and facilitators that Afro-Caribbean undergraduates perceive towards accessing mental health services in the UK", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 63-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-12-2019-0099
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited