An exploration of London based second generation Sierra Leoneans’ family mental health narratives and their relatedness to personal narratives of mental health

With current statistics on mental health outcomes for black people in England still demonstrating poor outcomes, and with little understanding as to why, the aim of this research study is to focus on a specific black population being Sierra Leoneans, and to review what informs their personal narratives about mental health.

Giving consideration to the unique experience of migrant families straddling two cultures, the research aims to explore these phenomena by investigating how the family narratives of second-generation Sierra Leoneans are related to their personal narratives about mental health examining the role of storytelling by first generation Sierra Leoneans to second generations in informing the relationship between the two narratives.

The research design was semi-structured interview, conducted and recorded remotely via Zoom. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The sample consisted of 4 adults, who were British born second-generation Sierra Leoneans with both parents being first-generation Sierra Leoneans. All participants were resident in London.

Four themes were identified from the data. (1) Purpose of storytelling, (2) Straddling two cultures, (3) Hardship, (4) Personal perspectives of mental health.

The findings highlight the role family stories play in developing a sense of moral and cultural values. They also identify the lack of descriptive language in Sierra Leonean dialect for mental health along with very little dialogue around mental health or emotions. Family perspectives of mental health were found to influence participants’ personal narratives of mental health, however through integration into British culture there were attempts by participants to assimilate mental health perspectives from both Sierra Leonean and British contexts.