Recently published NHS data on the usage of secondary mental heath services in England in 2019/2020 shows clear divides along social deprivation and racial lines.

The figures show that children from the most deprived areas in England (73,500) were more than twice as likely to be in contact than those from least deprived areas (34,200).

It is also revealed in the figures that 30,600 people were in contact with secondary mental health services for perinatal mental health problems. Those living in the most deprived areas (4,400) were more than twice as likely to be in contact with mental health services than those living in the least deprived areas (1,800). 

Overall, almost 2.9 million million people were in contact with secondary mental health services in England in 2019-20, a rise from almost 2.8 million the previous year. Although it is noted that this increase may be partially due to improvements made to data gathering on mental health services.

The figures are also strongly divided on racial lines. Last year, around 70.5 black people per 100,000 of the population were in a mental health setting and underwent at least one restrictive intervention compared to 18.7 white people per 100,000 of the population. 

However the total number of white people who were subject to restrictive intervention stood at 8,400 compared to 1,300 black or black British people.