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This paper explores the explanatory models of mental challenges among Black Africans in England. It argues that understanding these models is critical for providing culturally appropriate care to this population. The study employed qualitative methodology, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Twelve mental health service users who are living in England and self‐identified as first or second‐generation Black Africans were purposively selected. The data were gathered using face‐to‐face semistructured interviews. Data were manually analysed in accordance with IPA concepts of searching for common, unique and idiosyncratic themes across transcripts. The findings revealed three themes Black Africans associated to their explanatory model of mental health challenges: complexities of migration, African‐centred worldview and negative life experiences. To help alleviate the Eurocentric nature of mental health practice in England, it is hoped that this explanatory model will become an integral part of mental health practice in England and around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Religion plays important role in recovery from mental illness.Religion can have both positive and negative effects on recovery. What does this paper add to existing knowledge?: It is conceivable for Black African service users (BASUs) to engage with the mainstream mental health services at the onset of their symptoms.BASUs see mental illness and recovery through the lens of religion. They mostly use Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems to aid their recovery.The mainstream mental health system and the traditional African healing system exist in harmony for BASUs who are open to simultaneously access both services. What are the implications for practice?: There is a need to recognize that most Black Africans have unique ways of practising their Christianity. Thus, broad changes are needed in the services to support religious coping tailored to the individual persons in their recovery journey.There is a need for service providers and healthcare professionals to integrate Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems into the recovery processes. It should equally be recognized that such changes could trigger confusion, dilemmas and paradoxes.Service providers and healthcare professionals must build partnership and collaborative working with cultural practitioners and the clergy from the Black African communities to facilitate recovery and address any misunderstandings. Introduction: Religion is an important impetus for recovery. However, there has been little work examining the role of religion in recovery for Black African service users (BASUs) in England. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how religion influences recovery from mental illness for BASUs in England. Method: Twelve Black African service users were purposively selected and interviewed using face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: The study generates fascinating insights that BASUs views about mental illness and recovery are influenced by Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems. Discussion: The participants' perceptions of their mental illness experiences and recovery which are characterized by the pragmatism of Pentecostalism and cultural beliefs are consistent with what is reported in the literature. Implications for practice: The findings of the study show that broad changes are needed to accommodate the religious coping of BASUs in their recovery journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watchful waiting is a concept that is traditionally not associated with severe and enduring mental illness. This paper, however, boldly argues that the concept could be used as a ground-breaking and accessible antidote to the perceived inequality experienced by black service users experiencing both mild and severe mental illnesses in England. The novel concepts proposed in this paper are not intended to be consensual, but rather uncompromising to provoke critical thinking in mental health practice. A conceptual framework for watchful waiting in mental health is suggested., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: There is a growing body of literature providing reflective accounts and critical examination of the challenges faced by insider researchers. However, there is little research about the specific challenges that black African insider nurse researchers face., Aim: To reflect on the complexities black African insider nurse researchers face in the context of research sites, participants and the interpretation of data., Discussion: Insider researchers are susceptible to various entanglements and dilemmas. Belonging to the same racial and cultural backgrounds as participants is advantageous, although caution is needed. Adoption of the emergent reflective model as an archetypal template can help future insider researchers considerably., Conclusion: Being an insider researcher comes with advantages and disadvantages. Entanglement and role ambiguity are some of the disadvantages. However, unspoken understandings with the participants provide insightful meanings into their experiences., Implication for Practice: Reflectivity is crucial to the quality and rigour of qualitative studies. The challenge for future insider researchers is to show explicit awareness, tactfulness, sensitivity, commitment and rigour in their research., Competing Interests: None declared, (©2018 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.)