Each October, Black History Month is marked to celebrate, recognise and consider the experiences of the Black community around the world. This year’s theme is ‘reclaiming the narrative’, which focuses on Black people taking control of telling their own stories.
This year, we’re looking at changing the narrative around Black British, African and Caribbean people and mental health. Black men are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act and are also more likely to be prescribed medication rather than offered talking therapies and counselling. This coupled with experiences of racism, discrimination and microaggressions can lead to damaging effects on Black people’s wellbeing.
Young Black Men’s Project
Through our mental health service for young Black Men, we’re working to help the community feel safe and comfortable to ask for help, talk about mental health and access support services. Through group and one-to-one support in community spaces, we promote empowerment, increase resilience and help Black men address issues affecting them, their families and their community.
Your stories
Hearing authentic stories about the experiences and achievements of Black people is important in terms of celebrations, but also understanding different perspectives. This is all the more important when it comes to mental health, and seeing that there is someone like you going through the same thing as you can make everything seem less daunting and isolating.
What are we up to?
The team have lots of exciting things planned to mark Black History Month this year:
- Hosting interviews with the students we’re working with about their thoughts and experiences of Black History Month and mental health
- Running a lunch and learn with our service users, looking at the children of the Windrush generation
- Holding an event at the Belgrade Theatre, looking at the experiences and achievements of Black people through expression, music and poetry
Sources: National Mind and Bignall, T., Jeraj, S., Helsby, E., & Butt, J. (2019): Racial disparities in mental health: literature and evidence review. Race Equality Foundation.