Co-development of a culturally appropriate alcohol screening toolkit

What we already know
People with mental health problems are more likely to drink alcohol and harm their health. Our research shows that some minoritised ethnic groups may use alcohol to cope with difficulties, yet they are less likely to seek help for alcohol problems than for mental health. Concerns about stigma within their communities often prevent them from asking for support, leaving them at greater risk of poor health outcomes.

Although national guidelines recommend that healthcare providers use approved checklists to ask about alcohol use and offer advice, this does not always happen. Mental health professionals often feel alcohol is “not part of their service,” and sensitive topics such as drinking may be avoided with people from minoritised groups, particularly if the professional does not know them well or if others (e.g., interpreters) are present. Limited guidance exists to help staff navigate these conversations, meaning harmful alcohol use may go undetected.

What we plan to do
We will co-develop a toolkit with members of the public and healthcare professionals to support sensitive discussions about alcohol use with people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. The toolkit will include training resources for staff and practical guidance for organisations.

We will continue working with participants from our earlier research while inviting new members to broaden perspectives. Monthly online meetings will be held separately with public members and professionals to discuss experiences, challenges, and solutions. Public contributors will also help create a short film sharing their experiences of discussing alcohol use with healthcare providers.