We believe Black Lives Matter and black mental health matters.

In mental health – as in other areas of life – there is a huge disparity in how black people are listened to and supported at every level. We want to highlight this as part of this year’s Black History Month.

People from black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups living in the UK are more likely to:

• be diagnosed with mental health problems

• be diagnosed and admitted to hospital

• experience a poor outcome from treatment

• disengage from mainstream mental health services, leading to social exclusion and a deterioration in their mental health.

Under the outdated Mental Health Act, Black people are more likely to be compulsorily admitted for treatment, more likely to be on a medium or high secure ward and more likely to be subject to seclusion or restrain.

We are working to make sure that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We know there is a lot of work to do and we will fight for everyone.

Below are helpful links for support and resources as well as information for allies.

Self-care

• Set boundaries - Take a break from the news and social media at this time, its okay

• Digital detox - If you don’t want to take a break, please put some limits in place. Try to limit the amount of time you access the news and social media

• Look at your engagement - Don’t spend your energy going back and forth with strangers on the internet whose aim it is to antagonise and invalidate

• Get support where you can from friends or family. You may wish or find at this time that you may wish to seek the support of a therapist or online community

• Only share what you are happy to share. Your story is yours alone and is valid

• Take a break from talking from about everything find something that makes you happy

• Meditation or prayer

• Therapists/counselling: Please research BAME therapists, there are also free therapist network across the UK: The Free Psychotherapy Network https://tinyurl.com/ycuep4ag or Black and Asian Therapy Network

UK based organisations

• Black Learning Achievement and Mental health (BLAM) charity

• Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

• Black Minds Matter UK

• MAMA Youth Project

Resources

• Black Mental Health Alliance

• Black Lives Matter Resources (ACPA)

• An interview with the founders of Black Lives Matter

• Dr Kimberle Crenshaw’s intersectionality TedTalk

• Black Trans Lives Matter

• How to talk to your children about protests and racism

• Support Black Lives Matter: Donations, petitions, resources and more

• National Mind - ‘Mental Health and Racism’ Information, Tips and Resources

Resources for organisations

• Diversity wins: How inclusion matters | McKinsey

• What the charity sector should take away from the PHE report on disparities in the risk and outcomes of covid-19 - CharitySoWhite