Readmission rates, indeed admission rates for the mentally ill amongst the black community has remained statically high for a considerably long period of time. This is disproportionate (like gun crime) and it’s causes are many… the one common thread here though is age.



The age of current amities is consistently young, ( between the ages of 25 and 17)



I’ve had to bear the misfortune of having many distant family members admitted to the London maudsely hospital. Because I live relatively near the hospital I usually go there to visit them every now and again.



When ever I talk to families I’m always surprised at the complete ignorance that the family shows toward the whole idea of a mental illness, it’s almost beyond their comprehension….I’m not saying that they are stupid, but they have a hard time of recognising the various symptoms and distinguishing between how their child would normally act and say, how schizophrenia, causes their child to act.



Families are indirectly contributing to the degradation of their Childs mental health….that lack of understanding is the primary reason for their Childs continual re-admittance.


…I suppose this is a general message to you all. With an estimated 1 in 5 Brits suspected of getting some form of mental illness in the future (and presumably higher rates amongst the black community) knowledge is the only way of truly helping to avoid this. But if you are forced to admit your child, go to the ward round meetings, ask the care community co-ordinators for updates and ideas, do not be afraid to ask the psychologists about how to properly treat your child, and remember that you are not alone…..blkrubhead