A disproportionate number of Black residents in Islington are being treated for serious mental illness, a Freedom of Information request has shown.
Data released by the North London NHS Foundation Trust showed that, in 2024, almost 30 per cent of its Islington patients diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) were Black.
According to the 2021 census, only 13.3 per cent of Islington’s population identified as Black.
In 2023, around 28 per cent of those diagnosed by the Trust were Black, showing the disparity has grown.
Dr Tessy Ojo, CEO at The Diana Award, a charity set up to support young people, told the Centre for Mental Health: “Young people with Black and Black mixed-race heritage continue to experience the deep scars of racism on their mental health, compounded by a lack of accessible and relevant support.”
This comes as Islington Council has released its annual Public Health Report, which focuses on how the borough’s environment is impacting residents’ mental health.
The report cites “climate-related stressors” and inadequate housing as causal factors of poor mental health in the borough.
According to North Central London Health and Care, an integrated care system, Islington has the third highest level of serious mental illness in England. Those struggling from SMI are three times more likely to die prematurely than other members of the population.
Black men are particularly affected. A report published in the British Journal of General Practice in 2021 stated that Black men are about three times more likely to be diagnosed with “psychotic illnesses” than White men.
In 2022, Islington Council introduced the “Young Black Men and Mental Health Programme” to tackle inequality in mental wellbeing.
The scheme, which is set to last until the end of the year, uses barbershops to connect with male members of the Black community.
Mark Gillham, CEO of the Stuart Low Trust, which supports people with SMI, said: “There is a strong correlation between deprivation and mental health problems.”
Islington is the 6th most deprived borough in London, perhaps contributing to poor mental wellbeing.
Speaking on the disproportionality of Black residents struggling with SMI, Mr Gillham said the issue is not necessarily specific to the borough itself.
“There is a debate about whether the higher rates of diagnosis of people of Black backgrounds are because of cultural factors,” he said.
“Not factoring in cultural differences in clinical assessments” could be one of these, although there is no definitive answer as to why certain minority groups are disproportionality affected, Mr Gillham added.
If you have been affected by the themes discussed within this article, there are a number of support organisations available. See: https://www.islington.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health-services-in-islington/mental-health
- Cally revamp underway
- Local grocery shop provides a greener way to shop
- “My brand is who I am”: In conversation with Tiana Esparon
- Domestic abuse rises by 20 per cent in Islington
- Hundreds of households in Islington saved from homelessness this year
MA Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London. Bylines in MyLondon, Clash Magazine, DIY Magazine, and more. Freelance Arts and Culture Journalist.