Ethnicity and outcome of appeal after detention under the Mental Health Act 1983

Abstract

Aims and MethodThere is insufficient research into the relationship between ethnicity and appeals against detention under mental health legislation. We sought to identify rates and success of appeals in different ethnic groups through a retrospective analysis of all detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983 over 1 year.ResultsWe found high rates of appeals overall, with substantial differences between ethnic groups (36 (39%) White British compared with 71 (63%) Black Caribbean (P = 0.0001) and 21 (68%) White Irish (P = 0.01) individuals (Yates corrected chi-squared)). Success rates on appeal were very low in all groups.Clinical ImplicationsThere are significant ethnic differences in appeals against detention under the Mental Health Act.