The legitimate move to a broader equalities approach has left many concerned that the energy and focus on race will be diluted, leading to poorer outcomes. With a focus on solutions, this conference brings together speakers on different sides of the debate. It also includes a presentation on the research on race and mental health that had a major influence on government policy.

Official launch of DVD ‘Mental Health Stigma Knocked Out’ – Frank Bruno MBE speaks with Hári Sewell.

The DVD is available to purchase on the day at a discounted rate of £11.00, saving £7.00

Aims of the conference

  • Provide evidence of the specific impacts of variations and discrimination on the basis of race
  • Give a voice to service users' accounts of recovery
  • Provide an analysis of how the interaction between the tradition of psychiatry and concepts of race lead to disadvantage
  • Provide a critical analysis of the arguments for a broader equalities approach
  • Provide sources of information to enable workers to maintain depth in race equality while implementing a broader equalities approach

Key themes

  • A wider equalities approach is legitimate but depth needs to be maintained as well as the breadth
  • Multiple identities need to be considered, however the unique manifestation of various forms of discrimination need to be understood
  • Race discrimination has an impact in societal and personal contexts and contains the elements known to be toxic to mental health
  • Solutions can be found by understanding the concept of 'toxic interaction' and tackling this rather than seeking to ascribe blame

Speakers at the event

  • Chair: Heather Caudle Author, Activist and Assistant Director, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Deji Ayonrinde Consultant Psychiatrist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  • Hári Sewell Independent Consultant, Writer and Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow, University of Central Lancashire
  • Jayasree Kalathil PhD Independent Researcher, Survivor Research
  • Claudette Webster Assistant Director, NHS Manchester (invited) 
  • Craig Morgan MRC Research Fellow, Institute of Psychiatry
  • Professor Phil Thomas Co-Author, Postpsychiatry
  • Arnold Palmer Director of Finance, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Sue Waterhouse National Deputy Equality Programme Lead, NMHDU 
  • Marcel Vige Diverse Minds

Who should attend

  • Community development workers and their managers
  • Frontline staff working in mental health trusts and local authorities
  • Frontline staff working in the independent sector
  • Users of mental health services and carers
  • Managers with responsibility for delivering fair mental health services
  • Organisational leads on equality, diversity and human rights
  • People in the criminal justice system and ambulance service who work with mental health
  • Psychotherapists
  • Senior managers responsible for achieving improved outcomes for people from black and minority ethnic groups

Workshops

A Making equality impact assessments fair to race
B Recent research into race and mental health including Aesop
C Working with alternatives to traditional psychiatry
D The financial case for investing in race equality

Pricing

£ 150.00 + VAT for Community Development Workers
£ 255.00 + VAT for Public sector/NHS/Educational/Charity/Local gov/vol orgs - One day rate
£ 295.00 + VAT for Central gov/private orgs
£ 195.00 + VAT for Unwaged/student/small vol orgs