Careif report: The Health Needs of the Indo-Caribbean Community in the United Kingdom

'The Indo-Caribbean community has played a key part in the life of the United Kingdom, but this has not often been recognised. Little is known about this populations’ physical and mental health needs and its experience of health and social services in the UK.

This report, The Health Needs of the Indo-Caribbean Community in the United Kingdom, examines the history of the Indo-Caribbean community in the UK, the prevalence of mental health conditions among the community, barriers to accessing mental health services, and the existing services available.'



Includes:

"The absence of a unique category designating ‘Indo-Caribbean’ as a unique category in the UK Census was identified as a major barrier to obtaining vital epidemiological data on the UK’s Indo-Caribbean population."

Above text:
https://www.careif.org/news-and-events/2025-10-9-careif-report-the-health-needs-of-the-indo-caribbean-community-in-the-united-kingdom

n.b. 
In my community mental health nursing career in Chorley, Preston, and West Lancashire as services were established, the diversity of the local populations was evident, but there was an assumption that many communities were essentially 'closed': one explanation for lack of referrals from specific racialised communities - was that some communities 'looked-after their own'.

Of course this can be racism (acute or subtle), an excuse for inaction, delayed response, lack of action - outreach and translation services. There were marked examples of intervention. I have seen first-hnad interpreting and translation services in action since full-time retirement and the services offered are amazing for the insights and care delivery they can facilitate. Is this why we also need mental health nurses and the team? To translate in challenging circumstances, even by being there, seeking avenues, giving time - especially in instances of psychoses and doing so safely (for all)?

In addition to the main body of Careif's report and its recommendations, it may be helpful to consider the report's key terms relating them to the domains of Hodges' model? I also note reference to the bio-medical model as an explanatory framework. A conference abstract has been submitted today for April 2026, highlighting the need for bio-psycho-socio-political model / framework (Hodges' model - of course?).

See also:

RCN North West Multicultural Group