The political climate in Mental Health Awareness Week – asking for help in a society that messages your rejection
Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week this year’s theme was to ‘Take Action’ to support good mental health… but what is it like to seek help in a society where the global and local political environment is unfriendly and at times hostile towards minority groups.
- The current Trump government in the USA telegraphs hostility and distain to minorities, whether that be based on race, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, financial background or whatever group they feel is less than, whilst endorsing a white nationalist Christian agenda.
- In the UK we have recently had local council elections where the Reform Party has made considerable gains. In the media Reform seems to centre on a strong anti-immigration message with an implication that immigrants are to blame for all social and economic problems. Reform polices also include a ban on gender questioning and gender ideology in schools.
How do people really feel about the current political landscape?
This environment globally and locally will inevitably have a psychological impact on minority groups. Below are some examples with sentiments from people spoken to in the last couple of weeks, from the South Asian community.
- A sense of rejection – “I’m not sure who I am anymore, I contribute to society, I pay taxes, it isn’t enough”
- An impact on identity and sense of belonging – (even for UK born minority citizens) “I have lived here nearly all my life, I am a UK citizen, but if I’m not wanted I will leave”
- An impact on self-esteem – “Working in a very white area is stressful, I have been questioned about whether I should be there – people hold a lot of stereotypes – it’s like they think I shouldn’t be there, that I’m not good enough to be there”
- A feeling of anxiety and depression – “These elections are stressful I don’t want to think about the general election”
- Fear for the future and an increase in intergenerational stress- “I don’t know if I want to have children anymore, for them to be bought up in a society that hates them and will bully them”
- Fears about legal status and family security – “I question my future in this country”
- Fear for personal safety of an increase in racism, xenophobia or hate crimes – “ I feel more anxious walking into rooms with just white people”
- Greater feelings of distrust and division – “I feel more on edge and wary”
- A fear about survival – “It feels like a fight for survival” – I have also heard great fears from transgender colleagues who are very concerned about their future within a society that doesn’t believe that they have a right to exist, and have been alarmed at the idea of Reform getting into power.
This blog does not touch upon how every minority group could be impacted by the current climate but gives a taste of how it may be affecting many people around you, your family, colleagues, friends and neighbours. It is important to remember that the minority stress that people in minority groups are under is in addition to the financial stress from the rise in the cost of living, and the normal everyday stresses of jobs, home commitments and relationships.
What can mental health professionals do?
An important question for mental health professionals, such as counsellors and psychotherapists, to consider is what can we do in this current environment to support people from any minority groups who are seeking support? Things to consider include:
- Be aware of and acknowledge the additional stress that minority groups are under
- Understand that many people from minority groups may be experiencing anxiety, fear and concern about the current political climate
- Be aware that whilst this Mental Health Awareness Week there was the encouragement to take action, and whilst individual agency to change can have a great positive impact, if the environment remains toxic that change may be stunted. Further, the stress that people are under and distress they feel may remain.
- Do your own work as professionals to confront your own biases and prejudices.
- Create the necessary safety for therapeutic work to take place by being aware of your power, prejudice, the impact of oppression, and the needs of the clients you are working with.
For those looking for support
For those from minority groups seeking support do reach out, there are many professionals who prioritise creating therapeutic safety for their clients and who want to hear you. Seek community and build community, know that you are seen and not alone.
If you are someone who would like professional support and you would like to speak to me about how I might be able to support you please contact me.
My aim as a therapist is to offer a safe accepting space to meet clients where they are and offer a collaborative approach to supporting your counselling journey. I offer Inclusive Psychotherapy: Culture-sensitive and Neurodivergence Informed. I work face to face in Birmingham and also online. For more information about me and the way I work please see my FAQs page. I work with EAPs and private health care companies.
If you are not ready to seek help yet
Of course, you may not be ready to reach out and ask for help yet, if this is the case below I have listed some suggestions of actions that you could take on your own and some online resources that you might find useful.
The Mental Health Foundation states that:
“Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless.”
On the Mental Health Foundation website you can find suggestions of actions that you can take to support your mental health including:
- Moving more
- Eating well
- Prioritising sleep
- Making plans
- Setting boundaries
- Enjoying nature
- Getting creative
- Focusing on your breathing
- Meeting up with friends / connecting
- Talking to someone about your struggles
If you are concerned about someone and their mental health struggles check in on them, encourage them to talk and seek help, to speak to a therapist or their GP.
Online Resources
- Samaritans – Call 116 123
- SHOUT – Text SHOUT to 85258
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 5pm to Midnight: 0800 58 58 58
- Papyrus (Young Suicide Prevention) – 24/7 support: 0800 068 41 41
- Childline (Under 19s) – 0800 1111
- SOS Silence of Suicide – 4pm to Midnight: 0300 102 0505
- No Panic (Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Tranquilliser Withdrawal) – 0844 967 4848 Youth Helpline 01753 840393
- Silver Line – (Help Line for people over 55years old) – 08004 70 80 90
- Get.gg – Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – includes self-help CBT course, free downloadable information leaflets and handouts and free CBT tools. www.get.gg
- Living Life to the Full – A free online life skills course using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for use by health care practitioners and members of the public. The modules cover a range of topics including anxiety management and healthy living. http://www.llttf.com https://moodgym.com.au/
- Smiling Mind App – Mindfulness App – Free – https://www.smilingmind.com.au/