Every year, 587,000 items relating to mental health are prescribed in Bradford District at a cost of £5.9 million. More than half of these items are for anti-depressants.
This October, a free event is being held in Bradford to coincide with World Mental Health Day, to discuss stigmas attached to mental health in BME communities
Titled ‘Dignity in Mental Health – BME perspectives’ it will examine how people who are affected with issues ranging from depression to dementia, can seek appropriate support and live with dignity.
Fozia Sarwar, of Sharing Voices Bradford, a community development mental health organisation, said: “Unfortunately there are still stigmas and ill-informed attitudes about mental health, which make it harder for people in some Bradford communities to access services and support.”
The event will run for four hours on Monday 10th October at the Carlisle Business Centre from 10.30am to 2.30pm, with speakers including Bradford West MP Naz Shah.
It is aimed at anyone working in health and wellbeing services, and will focus on young people and children, older people with dementia, women, refugees and asylum seekers.
Members of Sharing Voices Bradford will also be on hand to talk of their own lived experiences to demonstrate the positive impact of services offered by the organisation.
Workshop sessions will be on offer to enable participants to have their say about embracing dignity in mental health provision.
Fozia added: “Treating people with dignity is critical if we are to encourage them to seek out the right help, rather than to struggle on alone.”
Every year one in four adults and one in 10 children in the UK is likely to have a mental health difficulty.
World Mental Health is an annual event to promote global mental health education and awareness.
To book a place on the free Bradford event, which includes lunch, please visit www.dignityinmentalhealth.eventbrite.co.uk
