Latest official figures show detention rates under the Mental Health Act in 2024-25 were higher for Black or Black British people (262.4 per 100,000) than for any other ethnicity. Detention rates among White people were the lowest (65.8 per 100,000).

The gap between the use of Community Treatment Orders - requiring patients to comply with court-ordered treatment - for Black or Black British people and for other people has widened too. 

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said: ‘Persistent disparities where Black people are disproportionately more likely to be detained under mental health laws are concerning.

‘NHS trusts and partners are working hard to understand why these inequalities exist and to better meet the mental health needs of people from ethnic minorities earlier. The figures, showing a disturbing discrepancy in detention rates, emphasise the value and significance of that work.

‘Such health inequalities cannot be "business as usual". We must tackle the root causes of these persistent racial inequalities - and make sure that the right support is available locally and nationally.'

Rebecca Gray, mental health director at the NHS Confederation, said: 'This new data shows that there continues to be worrying disparities in detention rates based on ethnicity which is causing significant concerns to those providing mental health services. Implementation of patient and carer race equality framework and adopting widespread use of advance choice documents are examples of steps that should contribute to improvement over time.'