Exploring the Experiences of Mental Health Support for Minority Ethnic Introverts

Introversion, commonly defined as a preference for the inner life, appears to still bear a number of misconceptions. This may be due to the vast amount of literature reporting a correlation between introversion and mental health. Thus, calling into question what is being done concerning mental health support for introverts. The findings of the systematic literature review revealed a scarcity of qualitative literature and literature hearing from the experiences of minority ethnic (ME) introverts. This is important given the lack of appropriate mental health support minority ethnics experience and how intersecting identities may exacerbate those experiences and imbalances of power and privilege. The aim of this study, therefore, was to uncover the experiences of mental health support for ME introverts. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of interviews with eight participants provided five Group Experiential Themes (GETs): redefining introversion, systemic and circumstantial determinants, introversion as a necessity vs introversion as a privilege, challenges of accessing help and ingredients for a positive care experience. The findings of this study suggest ME introverts are well-versed in the strengths they possess. Reasons such as cultural and familial beliefs may all influence the autonomy of freedom of expression to be introverted. Moreover, for some, their introverted nature might make it difficult to discern more serious mental concerns, whilst, for others, their minority ethnic identity might make it difficult to receive the quality treatment they deserve. The implications of this study are for mental health professionals within the UK to strive to deliver tailored care, centring the individual as the expert of their own life. In addition, each individual within society to consider their own biases and beliefs so as not to further perpetuate any harm enacted upon this community of people.