World Mental Health Day 2022
10 October 2022
10 October 2022
World Mental Health Day 2022
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health. This year’s theme is ‘make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’.
WHAT ARE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us. Everyone is different. You may bounce back from a setback while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time. Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same. It can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages of your life. Stigma means that people feel uncomfortable and don’t talk about their feelings. But it’s healthy to know and say how you’re feeling.
THE BLACK COMMUNITY
The evidence on prevalence suggests that black and minority ethnic communities are at comparatively higher risk of mental ill health, and disproportionately impacted by social determinants associated with mental illness.
For example,
- People from African Caribbean communities are three times more likely to be diagnosed and admitted to hospital for schizophrenia than any other group
- Compared to white people, Black women are more likely to experience a common mental illness such as anxiety disorder or depression
- Black and minority ethnic people are 40% more likely to access mental health services via the criminal justice system than white people
- Black children are 10 times more likely to be referred to children’s mental health services via social services than White children
- Black men are more likely to experience psychosis, and
- Black people are 4 times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
Check out these services…
The Empowerment Group – Is a charity that understands the cultural importance of Black therapists supporting their communities. They offer heavily subsidised online one to one counselling sessions for Black individuals in the UK aged 18+. Also, they offer training services for groups and individuals of all backgrounds. www.theempowermentgroup.co.uk/contactus
BAATN – The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network Home of the largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK.
Bayo – Is a space to find collectives, organisations, and services from across the UK. Bayo is created by and for the Black community to support mental health and wellbeing.
Email: yansie.rolston@ubele.org
Black Minds Matter UK – The aim of Black Minds Matter is to ensure that Black people in the UK can access mental health support. The organisation does this by helping Black people and families across the nation to find professional mental health services, in addition to raising money to help cover the cost of such services.
Online enquiry form: www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/connect
Mind: Young Black Men – This programme works specifically with young Black men aged between 11 and 30 years old.
Email: equality@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/equality-and-humanrights/young-black-men
Black Thrive – Based in Lambeth, South London, Black Thrive is an organisation dedicated to combating the inequality and injustices experienced by Black people in mental health services.
Email: hello@blackthrive.org
www.lambethandsouthwarkmind.org.uk/directory/black-thrive/
Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) – A Black-led organisation set up to address the wider social determinants to reduce health inequalities for people of Caribbean & African in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Email: info@cahn.org.uk
Header Image: Guille Faingold/Stocksy