Ethnic minority carers’ experiences of in-patient mental healthcare: qualitative study

AI Summary

Ethnic minority carers face systemic barriers navigating hospital admission and accessing timely support, complicating relatives' in-patient care.
Lack of cultural safety leaves carers feeling excluded and disempowered, with culturally insensitive care impeding meaningful involvement.
Participants recommend culturally responsive, holistic carer support and clear guidance to improve equity and carers' involvement in in-patient care.

BJPsych Open. 2026 May 25;12(3):e148. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2026.12010.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented in in-patient mental health services, yet research has largely overlooked their carers’ experiences. Because carers play a crucial role in managing their family member’s mental well-being, gaining insight into their potentially unique challenges and support needs is essential for service development.

AIMS: To investigate the experiences of ethnic minority carers of patients receiving in-patient psychiatric care in the UK, identify challenges they face and understand the role of culture and ethnicity in an in-patient setting.

METHOD: In the UK, ‘ethnic minority’ refers to all individuals from a non-White British background. Twelve carers from ethnic minority groups were recruited from third-sector organisations across the UK to participate in semi-structured interviews online. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed, and data were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Three core themes were identified: ‘The Challenges of Navigating Hospital Admission’, ‘Cultural and Carer Exclusion in in-patient Care’ and ‘Improving the Ethnic Minority Carer Experience’. Findings elucidated the nuanced ways in which culture and ethnicity influence carers’ experiences. Participants highlighted systemic barriers to timely support, experiences of disempowerment and exclusion, and culturally insensitive care. Participants offered recommendations to improve support for carers.

CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic minority carers of in-patients experience difficulties arising from a lack of cultural safety within in-patient psychiatric services. Embracing a holistic approach to care and providing comprehensive, culturally responsive guidance and support for carers are essential for promoting equitable mental healthcare.

PMID:42179181 | DOI:10.1192/bjo.2026.12010

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