A lack of awareness of mental health issues within BME communities is a major concern an event and report has found.

Healthwatch Lancashire has published a report summarising views gathered from members of the public at an event for people in BME communities organised by Lancashire BME Network, East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group and Healthwatch Lancashire.

Healthwatch Lancashire supported Lancashire BME Network and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver “Lifting the Lid”, a public event which focused on the health and wellbeing issues faced by BME communities.

Forty-seven people attended the event which discussed topics including mental health, culture and diversity, genetics and reproductive health within BME communities in Lancashire and lifted the lid for further discussions.

The report summarises opinions from the attendees regarding where they feel more research is needed and what they think are the key issues affecting BME communities in Lancashire.

Healthwatch Lancashire Chief Executive, Gill Brown, said: “The ‘Lifting the Lid’ event was a great opportunity to listen to views from people in BME communities and it is important that their voices are heard and that we find out more about the issues facing communities in Lancashire.”

The report shows that engagement with BME communities was recognised as being important with people stating that people’s beliefs need to be considered.

Many of the people who attended the event found a talk about Mental Health & Black Magic (Jinn) by Professor Rasjid Skinner, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, most interesting.

The report was shared with East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group and Lancashire BME Network.

Michelle Pilling, Lay Advisor Quality and Patient Involvement (Deputy Chair) at East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “East Lancashire CCG is committed to tackling inequality which can only be done by really understanding the communities we serve.”

“Understanding the specific needs of seldom heard communities is key to getting right the design and delivery of healthcare services.

"Events like this help to achieve this, by highlighting the specific challenges and cultural differences that seldom heard communities face. These are often the underlying reasons for poor health.”

Naz Zaman, Chief Officer for Lancashire BME Network, said: “Lancashire BME Network work to empower BME communities in Lancashire so they can make positive changes to their lives.”

“Lancashire BME Network are committed to tackling health inequalities and do this through developing and delivering interventions that not only raise awareness of some of the BME communities’ health concerns but also look to address them.”