Understanding the influences on the low mental health service utilisation by Bantu people in Adelaide, South Australia

This research seeks to understand the influence on mental health service utilization by Bantu people in Adelaide, South Australia. Evidence shows there is a consistent pattern of lower rates of mental health service utilisation by immigrant and refugee populations and it is not clear if they have benefitted from the process of major state and federal mental health reforms (Minas et al., 2014). A significant number of these immigrant and refugee population being people from African background where mental health service utilisation has consistently been low for years (Sipalayambe et al.,2017). A dichotomy has long existed in this population where there is a low rate of mental health service utilisation despite higher prevalence of mental health issues in the Bantu people. The researcher will seek to research the enablers of service utilisation, the barriers of mental health service utilisation and the influence of stigma on mental health service utilisation.
This research will be a partnership process involving dialogue about influences on mental health service utilization between people with different perspectives. The research project will have a sample of between 6 to 12 people who have a mental illness diagnosis, three to 6 mental health nurses/allied workers each from working with Bantu people, preferably of Bantu background and two senior figures in community working at policy level with Bantu people. This study will draw on decolonising methodologies using collaborative, culturally responsive research methods and a constructivist grounded theory approach. The research will draw on the theoretical concepts of Ubuntu. This research project will be relevant as it will be able to facilitate further discussions around influences on mental health service utilisation, stigma in mental health, and influence policies to improve service utilisation.