Bridging informal support and formal care: improving mental health referral pathways for minority ethnic communities (HHS-2026-13)

About the Project

Mental health inequalities among minority ethnic communities in the UK remain a persistent challenge. Despite increased policy attention, many individuals experience barriers to accessing timely and appropriate support. These barriers include cultural stigma, limited awareness of services, language challenges and reliance on informal sources of support such as family, community networks and faith-based organisations. As a result, mental health needs are often unrecognised or addressed outside formal care pathways with engagement frequently occurring at crisis points.

This PhD project will investigate how mental health support pathways can be improved for minority ethnic communities by examining the relationship between informal coping mechanisms, community environments and formal service provision. The research will explore how individuals understand and respond to mental health challenges, the types of support they access and how these experiences intersect with (or remain disconnected from) NHS and community mental health services.

Particular attention will be given to the role of social, cultural and environmental-based resources as part of broader social prescribing and preventative health approaches. The project will consider how these spaces may support wellbeing and how they could be better integrated into referral pathways. The research will use qualitative and participatory methods with opportunities to work closely with community organisations, healthcare providers and policy stakeholders. The findings will contribute to the development of more culturally responsive, accessible and preventative mental health systems.

This project is well suited to applicants with interests in mental health, health inequalities, social policy, community research or public health and offers opportunities to develop advanced qualitative and applied research skills.

For subject specific enquiries please contact: d.newton@hud.ac.uk