Mental Health

What is Mental Health

Mental Health is the state of your mind, that could be positive or negative. However, when your mental health is negative this can lead to issues such as depression and anxiety, these can then manifest themselves in terms of suicide, substance misuse, self-harm, eating disorders, personality disorders and psychosis. 

How common is Mental Health

Reporting Mental Health

Citizens advice recommend the following steps.
1. Find somewhere safe to stay (relative, friends, refuge emergency
or rented accommodation)
2. It recommends that women in Wales looking for a refuge ring Live Fear Free on 0808 8010 800, for England they should ring the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
3. For men requiring a refuge in England they should ring Mens Advice Line on
0808 8010327, for men in Wales it’s the same number as above 0808 8010 800.

The MET police state that you should use the emergency number
999 if your life is in danger, otherwise call 101.
Otherwise, if you need help or advice use our signposting database to
locate the support you require.

 

As stated above manifest in different ways and should be treated differently. However, MHFA use the acronym A.L.G.E.E to support the person

  • Approach the person and assist
  • Give support
  • Encourage the person to seek professional help
  • Encourage them to find someone to talk to, who they are comfortable discussing their issues.

 

Rethink Mental Illness also state the importance of directing them towards a medical professional

  • Encourage them to seek help from a medical professional
  • If they do not wish to do this, you should contact  a GP or your local mental health services

Mental Health in regards to race

There are no statistics that specifically highlight the numbers of
domestic abuse associated with the BAME communities.
Due to the disproportionate incarceration of black men and women
in the UK, there is little faith in the police, which means that people
of colour are less likely report their abuse.
There is also, in many communities also a language barrier to
reporting domestic abuse.

As stated above Mental Health issues affect one in four of us every year. However, when you look at the B.A.M.E. community the rates increase substancially. The Count Me sensus, which was only performed between 2005 and 2010, shows that there is a substantially higher rate of black people and black and white mixed people being detained. With black people having the highest admission rate of six times higher than average in 2010. This, however, doesn’t take into consideration the fact that B.A.M.E. are less likely than white to seek any form of mental health assistance.