Two prominent charities in Bradford, Mind in Bradford and Staying Put, have secured a substantial £4.5 million NHS contract to spearhead specialized mental health assistance for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. This initiative will be implemented across the Bradford and Craven districts.
Leaders from the collaborating charities expressed their commitment to combating mental health stigma and fostering enhanced trust in mental health services. The primary focus of this joint effort will be on aiding individuals dealing with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Specifically targeting individuals from South Asian, Eastern European, African, and Caribbean backgrounds, the support services will be conveniently situated in community settings rather than traditional hospital environments. A significant aspect of the program involves providing assistance to individuals transitioning from hospital care to community-based mental health support, encompassing both group and one-to-one support.
The newly established service will seamlessly integrate with existing NHS offerings, ensuring individuals have streamlined access to the appropriate support. Helen Davey, Chief Executive at Mind in Bradford, and Yasmin Khan, Chief Executive at Staying Put, articulated their shared goal of enhancing understanding and accessibility to community-based mental health services.
The contract, awarded by the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board through the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, aims to address the documented disparity in mental health diagnoses and outcomes among ethnically and culturally diverse communities. Factors such as racism, migration, and disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system compound these challenges.
Sasha Bhat, Director for Healthy Minds at the partnership, emphasized the importance of recognizing and understanding the cultural nuances influencing an individual’s mental health. This initiative reflects a concerted effort to bridge gaps and provide tailored support to minority communities, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges within diverse cultural contexts.
