The Myth of the non-Western Ethnic other’: An exploration of structural and cultural racism within mental health care

Ethnic minorities are often confronted with racism, which increases their probability of developing mental health issues significantly. Yet, studies show that they receive far less or inadequate mental health care than the dominant ethnic group. Recent studies have illustrated the importance of negative attitudes and interpersonal racism. However, up until now, the impact of structural dimensions of racism on mental health care have hardly been studied. Building on a theoretical framework developed by Fanon and Hook, this PhD study aism to discern structural and cultural racism within current mental health care institutions, by conducting a series of qualitative studies focusing on the subjective experience of both professionals and ethnic minority patients.