Trauma informed care and the needs of racialised communities

Racialised communities in the UK face disproportionately high levels of trauma linked to racism, discrimination, socio-economic inequality, migration experiences, and structural injustice. Trauma is often cumulative and intergenerational, shaped by historical forces such as slavery, colonialism and displacement, and reinforced by contemporary inequities in education, healthcare, policing, housing and employment. The Windrush scandal, persistent stereotypes in clinical settings, overdiagnosis of psychosis among Black communities, and discriminatory school experiences illustrate how trauma is repeatedly reproduced through public institutions. 

Although interest in trauma-informed care (TIC) is growing within the NHS, current provision remains fragmented and inconsistent. Trauma-informed approaches are rarely adapted to the realities of racial trauma, meaning that people from racialised communities often do not experience care that acknowledges the cultural, historical and structural conditions shaping their lives. Many of these people also face additional barriers to care, including mistrust, language challenges, stigma, and prior negative experiences in services where they felt dismissed, misunderstood or re-traumatised. 

To address these gaps, the NHS Race and Health Observatory commissioned this research, delivered by Centre for Mental Health and Coffee Afrik CIC.

The project explores the nature of trauma for racialised communities, the experiences people have with public services, and the changes required to deliver trauma-informed, culturally grounded and anti-racist care.