Don't suffer in silence!
Research from Mind, a mental health charity, has shown that 1 in 4 people from BAME communities do not share their mental health experiences. Mental health problems tend to go unreported and untreated which inputs further to the stigma surrounding mental health.
Mental health problems are treated differently in almost every culture in the world and the types of problems faced vary from community to community. Unfortunately, many mental health services are not equipped with the knowledge to handle and support people from different cultural communities. This lack of appropriate mental health care results in people feeling excluded from society and further declines in mental health. People from BAME communities who also identify as LGBTQ+ can face even further discrimination and declines in mental health.
Refugees and asylum seekers are even further at risk of suffering from mental health problems. The traumatic events surrounding fleeing your home country can cause or increase the risk of mental health issues arising.
Organisations and Websites
BAME in Mind
A website and blog created to help increase the representation of BAME and mental health. Some great articles and blogs as well as contact information for BAME mental health organisations.
Mental Health Toolkit
This guide is for counsellors or therapists but it contains a large amount of information and resources. To the end of the document it has contact information for many different organisations.
The BAME Taboo
A great website which aims to fight the stigma surrounding BAME and mental health. It encourages people to share their stories to help combat the stigma.
Mind - Mental health in Asian Communities
Mind is a great website which contains loads of information on mental health. The link below will take you to a page which details the struggles faced by the Asian community.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support
There are many issues which refugees and asylum seekers face when fleeing their home country. This is a traumatising experience and often they are fleeing from war and violence.
Voyage
A social justice charity that aims to empower young BAME people. Working with schools and the police, Voyage are improving community relationships and how young people that are struggling can become self-aware and transform their lives.