The mental health impacts of racism

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Chiamaka Okafor

Dear friend,

Welcome to our October newsletter – Happy Black History Month! October has been yet another great month for us at the Centre. We published A Constant Battle ([link removed]) on World Mental Health Day during Black History month. We know that Black people have historically been excluded from research, and this month our research focused on Black parents and the impacts of racial discrimination on mental health.

In our latest podcast episode ([link removed]) , Kadra Abdinasir discusses the ways racial trauma can impact generations of a family, the steps we can take to address the severe impacts of racism on mental health in the UK, and reforming research to be more equitable and psychologically safe - make sure to tune in.

For OCD Awareness Week, our writer in residence Andrew K Kauffmann penned an important piece ([link removed]) unpacking the often-misunderstood experience of living with OCD, the terror of his initial intrusive thoughts and speaking out to reduce feelings of shame and secrecy - a must read.

We appreciate you staying up to date on our work toward improving mental health for all.

Chiamaka

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A constant battle

The negative effects of racism on mental health are far-reaching and pervasive, with severe intergenerational consequences. A Constant Battle investigates how experiences of racism towards both parents and children affect their mental health and parent-child interactions.

Hearing from 14 parents and 14 teenagers from racialised communities, we were told about the “heavy” sadness parents felt at seeing their child experience racism at school, and the impact this had on both their child’s and their own mental health, as well as the way the dynamics between them.
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Quote: You've got to fight every battle, be it in a shop or in employment or at school... it's a constant battle that knocks you.
Quote: So I said to her, I understand you don't feel comfortable. But this is who you are. And as you get older, you're going to have to love yourself.

A mentally healthier nation

Mental health in the UK is getting worse. Sickness absence due to mental illness is soaring, rates of mental health difficulties are increasing at an alarming rate, and already overstretched services are struggling to meet rising demands. Along with over 30 organisations with an interest in mental health, we have developed a plan to address this and build a mentally healthier nation.

We’re calling on MPs and parliamentary candidates to commit to implementing the policies we set out within the next parliament.
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The ‘smokefree generation’ must include people with severe mental illness ([link removed])

by Andy Bell ([link removed])
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A right to good mental health? ([link removed])

by ([link removed]) Andy Bell
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On the right track to a mentally healthier nation? ([link removed])

by Andy Bell ([link removed])
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Centre for mental health podcast: speaking up for social justice in mental health

Thea Joshi is joined by Centre for Mental Health’s Associate Director for Policy, Kadra Abdinasir, to discuss the way racial trauma affects multiple generations of a family. They discuss A Constant Battle ([link removed]) , a collaboration between the Centre and King’s College London, which investigates how the experiences of racism towards both parents and children affect their mental health and parent-child interactions.
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Andrew K. Kaufman returns with the third piece ([link removed]) in his writer in residence series. Andrew reflects on his personal experience with OCD, recounting significant moments that mark milestones in his journey so far.
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* Urgent action needed to address unacceptable inequalities facing people with severe mental illness ([link removed])
* Parent and child experiences of racism, affects whole families mental health, according to new study ([link removed])
* Centre for Mental Health welcomes new trustees to its board ([link removed])

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We’re recruiting a new Business Development Lead
We're looking for someone with brilliant bid-writing skills, and the ability to seek out fresh opportunities for new research and evaluation projects. If this sounds like you or someone you know, we'd love to hear from you!

Learn more here ([link removed])
Deadline: Tuesday 31 October 2023
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If you’ve enjoyed reading this newsletter, please consider making a donation towards our work. We can’t continue the fight for equality in mental health without your support.
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