Race and ethnicity
We are dedicated to fighting against race inequality for our patients, carers, members, staff and in wider society.
Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people experience inequalities in the UK, which often lead to inequalities in health. In the past year the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people from ethnic minority groups and the appalling death of George Floyd in the US have highlighted the injustice and inequity that exist in our society.
The independent review of the Mental Health Act 1983, led by former RCPsych President Professor Sir Simon Wessely, published in 2018, found that profound inequalities exist for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in access to treatment, experiences of care and outcomes.
In addition, the review heard that Black adults are more likely than adults in other ethnic groups to have been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Our Equality Action Plan, which promotes equality and equitable outcomes for people within the College and across mental health services regardless of their characteristics and background, contains 29 key actions, which will be rolled out between now and the end of 2023.
Our best practice for improving equalities page contains information relating COVID-19 risk mitigation for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in mental healthcare settings as well as other resources relating to racism and discrimination.
For more information please email equality@rcpsych.ac.uk.
Blog posts relating to race and ethnicity
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South Asian History Month: My journey from South Asian to UK practice, second motherhood, community and cultural differences
Dr Supriya Agarwal talks about the challenges of coming to work as a psychiatrist in the UK, and her experiences over the last four years.
Dr Supriya Agarwal -
South Asian History Month: Breaking barriers – The imperative of an innovative mindset for clinicians from a South Asian background
For South Asian History Month, Dr Amit Chougule delves into the importance of developing an innovative mindset and how cultivating this can greatly benefit clinicians in their careers and patient ...
Dr Amit Chougule -
Celebrating Black history month 2022 – Dr Mona-Lisa Kwentoh
As part of this year's Black History Month, Lisa Kwentoh reflects on how to define her contributions to both psychiatry and society.
Mona-Lisa Kwentoh -
Black History Month 2022 – Reflections from RCPsych Chief Executive Paul Rees
The College’s Chief Executive, Paul Rees, speaks about the shocking discrimination his father experienced in the 1960s and 1970s and what he thinks of society now.
Paul Rees MBE -
Black History Month 2022: reflections from Dr Oluwatomilola Olagunju
For this year's Black History Month, Dr Oluwatomilola Olagunju gives his thoughts on the necessity of a diverse workforce within psychiatry.
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South Asian History Month: Looking back, looking forwards
Former College President, Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE, reflects on intersectionality and his own personal and professional journey in a post to celebrate South Asian History Month.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra -
Black History Month 2021: reflections from Dr Chinwe Obinwa
For Black History Month, we spoke to Dr Chinwe Obinwa, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She spoke to us about her experience being black ...
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Black History Month 2021: reflections from Demice Watson
For Black History Month, we spoke to Demice Watson, a Recovery Mental Health Practitioner from Liverpool. She spoke to us about her role and her experience of being a black ...