Croydon Council’s public health service is offering new targeted mental health support for people from Black Caribbean and African, Asian and mixed-heritage communities, after it was found that many were not seeking help from mainstream counselling services.
The Council’s new service aims to remove barriers to getting mental health support by taking into account people’s culture, ethnicity or faith. Residents can now talk to specially trained counsellors who are more aware of cultural differences, to improve how they are feeling and boost their mental health and wellbeing. NHS Talking Therapies are available to help anyone in the borough who needs them.
The counselling sessions are being delivered through several community organisations offering one-to-one and group sessions. These are Croydon BME Forum, Asian Resource Centre Croydon, Cassandra Centre, One Vision, Care To Listen and Centre of Change. They are reaching out to residents to take up this offer, and people can also contact them directly for support.
Dr Andrew Brown, Director at Croydon BME Forum, said: “We are really pleased to offer culturally sensitive counselling, along with other organisations in Croydon. Although more people are seeking mental health support, there is still some stigma preventing residents from getting the help they need.”
Helping residents to live happier, healthier and longer lives is a key priority for Croydon’s Executive Mayor, Jason Perry. He said: “We all need someone we can trust, who understands us, so we can discuss the issues we are dealing with in our lives. These new culturally sensitive counselling sessions will help even more people in Croydon to talk openly, without judgement, which supports good mental health.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Anyone can follow the five recommended actions to achieve better mental health. These are:
- Stay in touch with people;
- Be active and move more;
- Keep learning;
- Take notice of what’s around you and be in the moment;
- Give more time to help others.
Find out more about the five ways to wellbeing at: www.Croydon.gov.uk/mentalhealth-wellbeing
