A small but growing amount of literature recognizes that health inequalities have persisted in mental health services for a number of decades. qualitative approach. Reporting data from three semi structured interviews with participants from black African and black Caribbean backgrounds who had an experience of mental health and engaged in mental health services. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted to capture the essence and underlying meanings behind the narratives of the participants. The analysis uncovered shared themes of Ôchallenges experienced whilst engaging in servicesÕ, Ôpatient and staff relationshipsÕ and Ôknowledge of the self in a world with othersÕ to be rooted within the phenomenon. Findings indicated that mental health services remain to be racially biased, lack cultural competency and have failed to adequately meet the individual needs of black communities who have been detained in psychiatric units.