PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY AND COMPULSORY ADMISSION AMONG UK-BORN EUROPEANS, AFRO-CARIBBEAN AND ASIANS IN CENTRAL MANCHESTER

Psychiatric admissions in Central Manchester of Europeans, Afro-Caribb eans, and Asians (within three age-bands) were studied over four years . Among the Afro-Caribbean group there were more single or unemployed persons than in either the Asian or European groups, which suggested g reater socio-economic disadvantage. Rates for first admissions and rea dmissions among Afro-Caribbeans were greater; among Asians they were s imilar except for the 16-29-year age-group, who tended to have lower r ates than Europeans. A higher proportion of Afro-Caribbeans and Asians were psychotic. In the Afro-Caribbean group, the raised rates of admi ssion were largely attributable to increased rates of schizophrenia. T he highest rate occurred in second-generation (UK-born) Afro-Caribbean s and was nine times that among Europeans. The police were more freque ntly involved in the admissions of Afro-Caribbeans compared with Europ eans or Asians. Higher proportions of Afro-Caribbeans and Asians who w ere readmitted were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, when co mpared with Europeans.