* Time to Change: Let?s end mental health discrimination

Time to Change: Let?s end mental health discrimination

Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder exist in the South Asian community, just as with any other. Mental health can often by a taboo subject in these communities, just as with any other. However, there are some stigma-related attitudes specific to the South Asian community that the City Hindus Network, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Hindu Association (MPHA) and with Time to Change, would like to address.?Time to Change?is England?s most ambitious programme to end mental health discrimination. Research carried out by its partner,?Rethink Mental Illness?into attitudes towards mental illness in the South Asian community shows that mental illness is a taboo subject for the South Asian community in Harrow as it is for the population as a whole. These key issues are:

Time to Change?is England?s most ambitious programme to end mental health discrimination. Research carried out by its partner,?Rethink Mental Illness?into attitudes towards mental illness in the South Asian community shows that mental illness is a taboo subject for the South Asian community in Harrow as it is for the population as a whole. These key issues are:

• Shame, fear and secrecy surround mental illness
• The causes of mental health problems are often misunderstood
• The family can be both caring and isolating
• Social pressure to conform
• People with mental health problems are not valued
• Marriage prospects can be damaged

The CHN would like to hold a small, intimate open forum in partnership with the MPHA for its members to discuss these issues. The format is, as yet, undecided, because we want it to be driven by you, our members. If you have experienced mental health problems, or know other people in your extended family or community network that have, please get in touch with us. You can email infocityhindusnetworkorguk, specifically marking your email ?For Attention Of Pratik? ? your email and any comments will be dealt with complete discretion.

We understand it is difficult to talk about these issues, and would welcome suggestions from you as to the best way to host the event. One item we would be keen on is: if you have a mental health story you would like to share, but are nervous about doing so in public, why not write in down, change the names of the people involved, and we will get ?actors? on the day to read out your story.

Date:?Thursday 26^th?January 2012

Timings:?Arrivals at 6.30pm, event 7-9pm, including snacks and refreshments

Location:?New Scotland Yard, Broadway, London SW1H 0BG (closest tube station: St James Park Tube, Broadway exit)