Andrew Stunell endorses the latest edition of The Solution

The outgoing local government minister Andrew Stunell endorsed the latest edition of Black Mental Health UK's (BMH) online journal The Solution. BMH was set up in 2006 to raise awareness and see a reduction in the inequalities of treatment and care of people from African and Caribbean decent. The Solution was relaunched earlier this year with a foreword from Home Office Minister for Crime and Security, James Brokenshire. The journal is essential reading for the mental health sector.

These s endorsements are a testament to the importance that the Government puts on the equal treatment of mental health services users from ethnic minority communities. The latest edition of The Solution looks at the findings of the high profile inquest verdict into the death of mental health service user Sean Rigg. Debora Coles from INQUEST writes about the why this case is critical for ethnic minority service users.

Coles has worked closely with the family of Sean Rigg since his death and in her article she identifies several problems with the case and highlights the

important role of juries as a proper check and balance against the control and power of state agents.

Coles also notes that the Sean Rigg tragedy was not an isolated case and was reminiscent of many prior deaths. Nor was it likely to be the last because of the cuts to mental health services

there is an ever present risk that the systemic failings exposed by this inquest may still be replicated today.

The journal also features highly informative expert advice from Harley Street urologists Dr Frank Chinegwundoh, whose feature on prostate cancer awareness details information that every man needs to know. Crucially Dr Chinegwundoh writes that "Black men in the UK have a three-fold greater risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than their white counterparts" He includes some reassuring advice for African-Caribbean men who are reluctant to have their prostates examined as well as healthy eating guidance.

The Solution is highly informative and prides itself on its ability to inform people about what matters most to Britain's Black Communities. In 2010 BMH held a discussion on proposals to retain innocent peoples DNA for a period of six years, both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats promised is their 2010 general election manifestos and was also part of the Coalitions plans.

This goes to show the importance of having such discussion and the role BMH plays in influencing the government's agenda. The Solution is a therefore a useful mouthpiece for BMH and will continues to be a great reference point for all issues in the African-Caribbean community.

Check out the latest edition of The Solution magazine on BMH's website.

Alan Ssempebwa