A report by the Mental Health Foundation on social inequality and mental health shows that we all have mental health and we all can experience mental health problems, whatever our background or walk of life. But the risks of mental ill-health are not equally distributed. The likelihood of our developing a mental health problem is influenced by our biological makeup, and by the circumstances in which we are born, grow, live and age. Those who face the greatest disadvantages in life also face the greatest risks to their mental health.
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to highlight the incredible work that is happening in the Charity Sector. What are the positive changes being made, what are the challenges we are facing and what are organisations doing to look after the health and wellbeing of their staff?
We were delighted to speak with Josephine Namusisi-Riley, who is currently the Lead for the Parents and Communities Together (PACT) programme at Citizens UK, a Trustee at the Maudsley Charity and Founder of White Allies, an alternative approach to tackling racism. Josephine has more than 25 years of experience in the charity sector, initially working for the Citizens Advice Bureau and then in the fields of HIV support, support to vulnerable children and families and outreach to those from African communities living in London.
In our conversation Josephine shares what emerging themes and issues from Covid she sees from her work on the frontline, what intersectional health inequalities she observes and where she sees the future of mental health provision and funding being focussed.
Resources and links
Parents and Communities Together (PACT) programme at Citizens UK – https://www.pact-citizens.org/
The Maudsley Charity – https://maudsleycharity.org/
White Allies UK – https://whiteallies.org/
