The role of adverse experiences in shaping racial inequalities in treatment for mental illness (UKLLC)

The development of mental illness in racially minoritised groups is influenced by experiences over the life course. Particularly, previous
research shows that experiences such as racial discrimination, being unemployed or living in poor housing can lead to mental illness.
Once diagnosed with mental illness, research shows that racially minoritised people receive worse treatment than white people. This
project aims to understand how difficult life experiences differentially affect treatment for mental illness across ethnic groups. We will
also examine if these differences are more pronounced for men or women within ethnic groups. We will look at how people are treated
by health services (e.g., being compulsorily admitted to hospital). To do this, we will use NHS England data linked to survey data. These
include hospital records, information about mental health services, and studies that follow people over time to understand life
experiences.
We expect to find that some people, particularly from Black and Asian backgrounds, are more likely to have more challenging
experiences when using mental health services because of adverse life events. We also expect this to differ between men and women
across ethnic groups. The results of this project can help promote fairer treatment within mental health services.