Black Mental Health UK: your news, policy and research resource on mental health and African Caribbean communities. We aim to reduce the inequalities in the treatment and care of people from African Caribbean communities and inform these communities on how to influence the strategic development, policy design and implementation of services.

Recognised areas of concern
Chief executive of the NHS Sir David Nicholson's endorsement of the Christmas and New Year's edition of Black Mental Health UK's (BMH UK) The Solution magazine confirms that the issue of ethnicity mental health is still firmly on the NHS agenda.

'The high numbers of some black and minority ethnic groups in some parts of mental health care, and low number in other parts of the mental health system, has long been recognised as an issue of concern,' sir David Nicholson chief executive of the NHS acknowledges in the forward for this month's edition of BMH UK's The Solution magazine.

Packed full of festive inspiration for the holiday season this final issue for 2011 profiles an exclusive interview with Michael Eboda, whose annual publication of The Power List, has inspired a generation to excellence.

BMH UK launch Top 30 list

This issue also marks the inauguration of BMH UK's own list of the top 30 agencies and individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the area of mental health and ethnicity in the past 12 months.

A must read for anyone working in this sector, this list gives a 'shout out' to many unsung heroes in the community who continue to support one of society's most excluded groups.

Celebrity chef Levi Roots shares more fabulicious recipes for a tasty Caribbean Christmas and we give you tips for the top 10 ideas for the perfect gifts that you'd be wise to invest in at any time of the year.

Our law page offers the only update you'll find on the DNA database and mental health, while our 'Voice of the voiceless' section highlights the issue of prostate cancer and the need for physical healthcare to be factored into the care of mental health service users.

The Solution's Christmas list

Activists Kwaku and Awula Serwah share on 'Why African British history matters' and clinician Eric Adjaidoo's pioneering medicines management research spotlights the physical side effect side effects of antipsychotic medication.

Matilda MacAttram editor in chief of BMH UK's The Solution Magazine said: 'BMH UK's top 30 for 2011 is a must read for anyone working in this sector. From Government to grass roots, we've covered it all.

This list celebrates the contribution of the unsung heroes like Alicia Spence, Dr Dele Oladije, while welcoming the contributions of many working in other arenas like Archdeacon Kajumba, Stephen Ogongo and Helen Bart, who have championed our calls for progressive change.

Our exclusive interview with Michael Eboda of Powerful Media on his work that has inspired a generation to excellence is a must read. Eric Adajiadoo pioneering research on medicine management gives a clinician's insight into patient experience you won't find anywhere else.

The bumper packed Christmas and New Year's edition of BMH UK's The Solution is set to inform, inspire and stir you to action for an amazing 2012.'

Among this years top 30 are:

1. Lord Herman Ouseley

2. Alicia Spence - Services Directors at ACCI

3. Deborah Coles and Helen Shaw - co-director at Inquest

4. David Pinder - Community Activist

5. Archdeacon Daniel Kajumba - Chair of CEMAC (Committee for Ethnic Minority Anglican Concerns)

6. Steve Pope and Trudy Simpson - The Voice Newspaper

7. Lenny T - BBC 3 Counties Radio

8. Sandra Griffith - manager of Mellow - East London Mental Health Service

9.  Stephen Ogongo - The Afro News

10. Rachel Barclay - Director - Two Way Street - the only black led community based service in the south west of England.