Being understood, being respected: an evaluation of mental health service provision from service providers and users' perspectives in Birmingham, UK

This paper examines the views and experiences of using and providing mental health services from the perspectives of black African and black African Caribbean mental health service users, their carers, voluntary services and a range of statutory mental health professionals and commissioners in Birmingham, UK. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through telephone interviews (n = 15), individual face-to-face (n = 20) and focus group interviews (n = 12), and analysed using Krueger's framework and Rabiee's guidelines. Findings showed differences in the experiences of mental health services amongst African Caribbean and their African counterparts, the impact of social inequality on mental health and the needs of asylum seekers and refugees. It highlighted the important role of voluntary organizations in provision of care and support, insufficient provision of psychological therapies and concerns about high dosage of medication. The implications for practice are discussed, particularly the role of health beliefs in help-seeking behaviour and barriers to accessibility of mental health services.