According to a new poll by NHS England, Two-thirds (66%) Percentage of people in the black community have felt concerned about their mental health in the past year*. in fact, Just under 2 in 5 (39%) Of those asked, those who said they had experienced depression were More than a quarter (27%) I have experienced generalized anxiety disorder.
However, the answers also reveal: More than three-quarters (77%) More people in the Black community who sought professional help for anxiety or depression said they saw improvements in their mental health**.
The NHS encourages people who are suffering from anxiety, including depression and excessive worrying, panic attacks, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and obsessions and compulsions, to seek support for: I am. NHS Talking Therapy Service. These are effective, confidential, and free treatments delivered online, over the phone, or in person by trained clinicians. Anyone suffering from depression or anxiety can seek help and get back to normal through the NHS Talking Therapy Service.
Taking care of your mental health is an important part of your overall health, but it can sometimes be difficult to talk about it with family and friends. This can be particularly problematic for men in the community. Talking therapy provides an opportunity to discuss your difficulties with a stranger and is a welcome outlet for many people.
Sharon Black, Senior Counselor, IPT Lead Interpersonal Psychotherapist, and Certified Talking Therapy Clinician says:“In our communities, we often prefer not to talk about it, but that’s not good for our mental health. Anxiety and depression take a greater toll on our lives than we like to admit. Talking to a trained professional can really help. We are here to support you and give you a place to discuss any issues you may not want to share with your friends and family. You don’t even need to go to your GP to be referred to talking therapy; you can easily self-refer online.
nicholas pinnock, actor and the producer Said: “When I first experienced depression, I found it difficult to put into words what was happening to me, and simply dismissed this paralyzing feeling of sadness as a dark curse that everyone experiences. When I was in my early 30s, discussing mental illness wasn’t something that my community or anyone I knew talked about, and it wasn’t something that I was talking about at that point in my life. You would think I would have known about it, but even back then, I didn’t have the knowledge about mental illness to understand that I needed help. “Supporting efforts like talking therapy is important to me. I believe that when you are struggling with a mental illness, talking to a professional can provide you with the tools and processes you need to get through each day. I believe it. I believe that seeking therapeutic support not only saved me, but saved my life. ”
When asked in the questionnaire, More than half (57%) of black people didn’t know they could be referred to NHS Talking Therapy online to get treatment for anxiety and depression***.
You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health problem to be referred to the NHS Talking Therapy Service. You can choose to make a referral online or have your GP refer you. For non-native English speakers, conversational therapy can be provided through a multilingual therapist or confidential interpreter. This service is available to anyone over the age of 18 who is registered with a GP.
Dr. Chine Ejifura Clinical Psychologist for NHS Talking Therapy within the North London Mental Health Partnership and Regional Clinical Lead for NHS Talking Therapy Long Term Physical Health Pathways in NHS England: “Over the years, I have worked with people who have quietly struggled with depression and anxiety for long periods of time before seeking help, or who initially didn’t know where to turn for help with their mental health issues. As part of the NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression programme, speaking to trained professionals can help us learn how to cope with these common experiences. Therapists are trained to be culturally sensitive and respectful while maintaining personal privacy where appropriate. We have helped many people over the years, and we have helped many people ourselves over the long term. We want to help you find the best way to help. Conversation therapy provides tools and knowledge that you can use over and over again.”
NHS Talking Therapy can help provide support and treatment for common mental health problems such as:
- feel anxious
- feel depressed and hopeless
- having a panic attack
- find it difficult to cope with work, life, and relationships
- Suffering from flashbacks or nightmares about upsetting events from the past
- feeling stressed
- I’m very worried
- obsessive thoughts and behaviors
- fear of social situations
- Fear of spiders, airplanes, heights, etc. (phobia)
You can be referred to NHS Talking Therapy by your GP, or you can refer yourself online.
Source: Pride Magazine – www.pridemagazine.com
