Lived Experience Advisor and Mental Health Advocate at Project Soul Stride {Star Wars Fans Group}
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 – Black Mental Health Manifesto. Black people in the UK are both more likely to experience poor mental health and more likely to face barriers in getting the right support, with racism being a driving force behind these inequalities. Despite various reforms and initiatives, we are not seeing the meaningful change that is needed, and racism continues to hold Black people back and harm their mental health. In response, activists, campaigners, grassroots organisations, individuals and race equity leads have been working on a Black Mental Health Manifesto, setting out a clear vision and practical steps towards a just UK society, where Black people thrive, and their mental health is supported in a way that puts their needs at the centre. The manifesto is Black-led and promotes the views of grassroots organisations working in their local communities. The manifesto will soon be launching, and we are now looking for people who would be willing to share their experiences of racial discrimination and how this has impacted their mental health. For example, you may have had a negative experience while detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act; struggled to access therapy that was culturally appropriate through the NHS; or experienced racism in the workplace that impacted your mental health. In terms of how you could support the manifesto, this might include providing a short quote about your experiences for social media, or talking to journalists about your experiences for news stories. You’ll be fully supported by the team behind the manifesto. You could also share your experiences anonymously under a changed name, if this would make you feel more comfortable. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences, please email media@rethink.org with a few sentences about your experiences of racism and mental ill-health, and a member of the team will be in touch shortly. #blackmentalhealth #ProtectBlackMentalHealth #livedexperience #healthinequalities
Tony Powell
5mo
The depressing fact is great colleagues of mine at the then Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health were pushing this agenda two decades ago, and on the back of previous commendable work. Change has been woefully slow and that's a diplomatic phrasing of the frustration.
Lisa Quigley
5mo
So important. My MSc research was on Black experiences of mental health care. I'd be delighted to share findings if there's any way I can support.
Mental Health/well-being bespoke trainer & course developer. Past roles include MH social worker. Associate Lecturer. NIHR researcher. CQC inspector. Various housing management roles.
5moI read with genuine interest in this post. For me and my 32 years plus training, research and practitioner and lived experience I have seen so many projects etc fail and many don't reach their full potential. This is in my opinion the reason; way to many genderised and racialised groups don't prosper is because they genuinely believe that the bigger picture is secondary. No amount of black voices will be heard unless they link with the bigger picture. Black lives matters, quickly became ridiculed, marginalised and in my opinion ultimately failed because inequality should not be down to black, white etc, it needs to be a fundamental shift in societal change at all levels, all genders and all races.