Berkshire Healthcare Hosts Mental Health Act Detentions All-Partnership Conference
National data continues to highlight a stark inequality in mental health care: Black people are 3.5 times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white people. This disparity is not only a national issue, it’s also evident here in Berkshire.
Published 15 May 2025
In response, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) launched the Mental Health Act Detention Project to understand and address longstanding racial inequalities, with a particular focus on disproportionate detention rates under the Mental Health Act. The aim of the project is to improve the access, experience and outcome for people of Black ethnicity who are being disproportionately detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, by better understanding the causes of the variation across Berkshire and reducing compulsory admissions.
As part of this ongoing work, the Project team hosted the Mental Health Act Detentions All Partnership Conference on Tuesday 1 April, alongside colleagues from NHS Race and Health Observatory, Thames Valley Police, Slough Borough Council, Council for Voluntary Service – Slough (CVS), Mind in Berkshire and Alliance of Cohesion and Racial Equality –Reading (ACRE).
Visit GOV.UK to read about the Mental Health Act 1983
The conference offered a platform to:
- Present the latest data, analysis, and recent findings from the Mental Health Act Detention Project
- Share emerging recommendations and actionable steps
- Facilitate open, honest dialogue among professionals, partners, and community representatives
The conference fostered a safe and collaborative space for discussion, encouraging attendees and presenters to network and have conversations, not only reflecting on the progress made so far, but also exploring the work still needed within the project and beyond. Forum theatre was used to powerfully illustrate real-life experiences, highlighting the central role of lived experience within the project. Attendees shared insights, networked, feedback and pledged their commitment to enhancing mental health care for Black people.
As part of the project work, Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust commissioned partners to work with community members, staff and people with lived experience. Mind in Berkshire, ACRE and Slough CVS engaged communities to gain deeper insight into the lived experience of Black communities with a view of better understanding impacts and what can be done to improve experiences for everyone. The findings from Mind in Berkshire are available within the Engagement Report and Methodology Report.
Read the MHA DP Engagement Report (pdf)
Read the MHA DP Methodology Report (pdf)
We are committed to learning from every aspect of this project to improve the care we provide. We are actively collaborating with our staff and community to implement meaningful changes. Together, we can build a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected. You can find out more about how we are committed to becoming an anti-racist organisation
Read about our Unity Against Racism initiative
The Mental Health Act Detention Project team will be holding a follow-up conference one year from now to reflect its progress and hold the project accountable for the work undertaken. If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in the work we are doing, you can contact the team