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
• Professor Suman Fernando Psychiatrist, Academic and Writer
• Melba Wilson National Programme Lead, Equalities, National Mental Health Development Unit (invited)

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

none View programme & booking form
Book Online

Pricing

£ 125.00 + VAT for Community Development Workers
£ 205.00 + VAT for Early bird rate - Public sector/educational/charity/NHS/Local gov/vol orgs
£ 245.00 + VAT for Early Bird rate - Central gov/private orgs
£ 145.00 + VAT for Early bird rate - Unwaged/students/small vol orgs

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) is the agency charged with supporting the implementation of mental health policy in England by the Department of Health in collaboration with the NHS, Local Authorities and other major stakeholders.