A community outreach drive in Ealing has led to a sharp rise in mental health referrals among children from ethnic minority backgrounds, after years of under-representation in local NHS services.
West London NHS Trust said referrals to its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Ealing increased by around 30% from communities including Somali, Sikh, Polish, Sri Lankan and Arab families. Overall referrals across the borough rose by 10% between April and September this year.
The initiative, developed with local faith groups and community leaders, aimed to tackle cultural barriers and stigma that often prevent families from seeking help. Workshops and information sessions were held in schools, temples, mosques and churches, offering guidance in multiple languages and encouraging early conversations about children’s mental health.
Sarika Ghai, service manager for Ealing CAMHS, said the project was born from recognising “a clear gap between the diversity of the borough and those actually accessing support”. She added that families had responded positively to being met “in familiar spaces, by people who understand their culture”.
A Southall Gurdwara representative described the sessions as “safe, confidential places to talk openly about worries that are too often hidden”.
The programme is now being shared as a model for other London boroughs and will be showcased at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Quality Improvement Conference next month.
