Best practice in mental health: Advocacy for African Caribbean and South Asian communities (Social Care: Race and Ethnicity series)

This report aims to address the imbalance of equality within current advocacy policy and practice by providing an analysis of how effective advocacy projects are in serving marginalised communities who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Since the 1980s, an increasing number of mainstream mental health service users have become instrumental in facilitating the concept of Patients Rights. However, mental health services, including advocacy, are often paternalistic in nature and discriminatory in practice. This report aims to address the imbalance of equality within current advocacy policy and practice by providing an analysis of how effective advocacy projects are in serving marginalised communities who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Indicators of best practice are illustrated by featuring and reflecting the concerns and perspectives of diverse projects across the Trent and Yorkshire regions. The report: - highlights the importance of both independent and integrated culturally responsive advocacy services; - encompasses tensions and debates that currently surround advocacy; - makes pro-active recommendations, which offer practical advice on how to ensure user involvement and carer consultation; - provides Best Practice guidance for health authorities, NHS Trusts, mental health social services departments and voluntary organisations; - makes available a permanent resource that sets out a framework for delivering appropriate and sensitive advocacy provision.