A special blog by Creative Communications Officer and Mental Health First Aider, Kat Garoës-Hill
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week occurring between the 9th-15th of May. The theme this year is ‘loneliness’ which increased for a lot of the population during the pandemic. In 2020, between April and May 5% out of around 2.6 million adults said they felt lonely often or always. (Ons.Gov, 2020). Now in 2022, one in four adults feel lonely some of or all of the time (Mental Health Foundation, 2022).
People from Black and Minoritised backgrounds are much more likely to experience loneliness and encounter issues around mental health because of significant inequalities mainly around employment, finances, and housing (Mind, 2020). Mind, a national mental health charity carried out an online survey in 2020 of over 14,000 adults in the Wales and England which revealed the following disparities:
Nearly 30% of Black and Minoritised people stated that obstacles around housing had majorly impacted on their mental health compared to 23% of white people
61% of Black and Minoritised people have had employment worries that have impacted on their mental health compared to 51% of white people
52% of Black and Minoritised people experienced their mental health getting worse due to financial problems compared to 45% of white people
A photo of a woman who is experiencing loneliness due to cultural issues and poor mental health
In a report titled, ‘Barriers to belonging’ a report commissioned by The British Red Cross and The Co-operative, with research from Runnymede Trust, and the Centre for Loneliness Studies at the University of Sheffield the following factors experienced by Black and Minoritised people were highlighted:
When we feel we belong somewhere we feel less alone and welcome
Discrimination, bullying and disrespect can increase loneliness
People from Minoritised backgrounds often feel less able to access support
Stigma around loneliness makes it harder to talk about
Throughout our programmes, BSWN supports the development of Black and Minoritised people, communities, and organisations who are often battling issues around mental health whilst challenging systemic barriers. We create a safe space in which they can progress, learn, thrive, and flourish which enables them to feel they belong.
Mental health is very important to BSWN and within our team we have two mental health first aiders who any member of staff or members of our cohorts can approach if they are in need of support:
Mina Drobná, Operations Manager
Kat Garoës-Hill, Creative Comms Officer
Are you struggling with poor mental health or loneliness and need support?
Local Support in Bristol and the South West
Nilaari - Is a Minority-led community-based charity located in Easton, Bristol. All of their services support Black and Minoritised mental health and wellbeing and they focus on proving their services in Bristol.
Bristol Mind Helpline - Is open to all people of different backgrounds in Bristol and surrounding areas. It is a free confidential helpline and a safe place to talk currently open Wednesday - Sunday 7-11pm.
Support Nationally
Black Minds Matter (BMM) - Is a national charity that works to connect Black people with free mental health services - by professional Black therapists to support their mental health. BMM also has an online resources section to help you support your own mental health.
Rethink Advice and Information Service - Is a advice services for adults in the UK who are affected by mental illness. They advise people with mental health issues and also professionals who may want to know more about mental illnesses and how to be supportive.
The Mental Health Foundation - Is a mental health charity, they have a Help and Advice document on how to cope with loneliness and improve your mental health.