New mental health services for BAME customers in our neighbourhoods

21/01/2021

Customers from a range of Black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, including those from South Asian, Caribbean and African, Southeast Asian and Jewish backgrounds, can now benefit from extra mental health support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Six services are now offering culturally sensitive support to people across Greater Manchester from BAME groups, who are being severely affected by COVID-19.

Public Health England data shows that people of Bangladeshi ethnicity are around twice as likely to die of COVID-19.
Those who are Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, from other Asian backgrounds, or black are at 10 and 50% higher risk from Covid-19, compared to White British.
This is often faced in addition existing mental health challenges from isolation, loneliness, trauma and even forced migration.

The services are designed to help people to access important information and advice at this very challenging time when they may be worried, isolated and unsure of where to turn to.

You can find full details of the services at the bottom of this page.

You can self-refer to the services, so there’s no need to be referred by a GP or other health professional.

Mohammed Yasser, FCHO Head of Legal Services and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead, said: “These services are specifically addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of our culturally diverse communities in Oldham, which is so important. If you or someone you know would benefit from their help, do reach out to them.”

The mental health services are being funded by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership.