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*UPDATE 20 JANUARY 2012: THIS FREE EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. *

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Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder exist in the South Asian community, just as with any other health condition. 1 in 4 of us is affected in any given year. It is therefore important that we understand the truth about mental health to break down stigma and make our lives better.

However mental health is often a taboo subject in the South Asian community. This stigma and discrimination prevents 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems from living their lives to the full and doing everyday things like having relationships to looking for work. Fear of discrimination can also stop people with mental health problems from being open about how they are feeling, and can stop them from getting help when they are unwell.

For nearly a third of people with mental health problems said that the stigma wanted them to give up on life.

The shame and secrecy surrounding mental health problems often make it harder for people affected to get help and recover. Having a mental health problem is nothing to be ashamed of and talking about it helps tackle the stigma.The key issues that need to be addressed 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.

It is these 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 an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink. This in the biggest attempt yet in England to end the discrimination that surrounds mental health. More details of the campaign can be found here.

The CHN in conjunction with the MPHA is therefore hosting an event on Thursday 26 January at 6pm at the Metropolitan Police’s New Scotland Yard offices to help raise awareness of mental health and the stigma in the South Asian community.

The evening will consist of various speakers giving first-hand accounts of their personal experiences of mental health and stigma. This will be followed by a powerful short film ‘Open Secrets‘ which tackles the issue of mental health stigma in a South Asian family and Q&A panel session with the speakers and other mental health experts on the stigma within the South Asian community.

Come and join the CHN and MPHA in taking the first step to raise awareness of mental health problems and tackle stigma in the South Asian community. Please see details below for registration.

If you would like given any comments in advance of this event, but would like for them to be treated with the strictest of confidence, you can email infocityhindusnetworkorguk  (infocityhindusnetworkorguk)  , specifically marking your email “For Attention Of Pratik” – your email and any comments will be dealt with complete discretion and only read by Pratik.