How do Black British communities culturally respond to mental distress: A qualitative reflexive thematic analysis

Objectives To explore how Black British communities culturally recognise, cope with and manage mental distress and to consider the implications of these responses for equitable mental health prevention.

Design Qualitative study using semi-structured focus groups, analysed with inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting Online focus groups were conducted across the UK.

Participants 36 adults aged 23–68 years, including Black British community members (n=11), mental health professionals (n=14) and practitioners from African and Caribbean third-sector organisations (n=11). 35 participants self-identified as Black British African and/or Caribbean.

Results Five interconnected themes were identified: (1) mental resilience, characterised by emotional suppression, concealment of distress and coping in solitude; (2) faith in distress, including the utilisation of church communities and prayer; (3) escapism through substances; (4) physical and creative release and (5) peer support.

Conclusions Black British communities draw on a range of culturally accessible coping strategies that can both sustain well-being and shape pathways to care. Preventive mental health models should recognise and work alongside these existing responses to support more equitable, culturally responsive early intervention beyond statutory services.