BAPO would like to extend support and solidarity to anyone affected by the current violence that we are seeing reported. BAPO strongly condemns the violent and racist riots and intimidation that have taken place across the country. We value diversity, it is the cornerstone of our profession and of course, the wider NHS and companies that support the profession. During challenging times like these, we need to demonstrate our values of community, inclusion and allyship more than ever. We encourage members to stand together to support any staff, service users or members of the public affected. We understand that current events may create feelings of fear, distress and anxiety, the following collated signposting and support links might be helpful.
Wellbeing support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic NHS staff (hee.nhs.uk) provides links for support services offered to NHS colleagues from culture and ethnically diverse backgrounds
Black Minds Matter’s connects Black individuals and families with free mental health services by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network BAATN is the UK’s largest independent organisation to specialise in working psychologically, informed by an understanding of intersectionality, with people who identify as Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean.
Taraki work with Punjabi communities to improve access to mental health awareness, education, social supports, and research through culturally safe activities to benefit individual and community-level care.
The National Union of Students (NUS) Black students’ network represents students of African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean heritage. The network supports issues affecting Black students on a local, national and international level.
Nafsiyat is a pioneering charity offering intercultural therapy in over 20 languages to people from diverse cultural communities. Nafsiyat offers short-term intercultural therapy to people from diverse backgrounds who live in Islington, Enfield, Camden and Haringey.
Nilaari is a Black, Asian and Ethnically diverse led community-based charity. Their diverse staff team deliver culturally appropriate and responsive social care support and talking therapies. All services are designed to support client’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. Nilaari provides community-based mental health care for people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.
BMHS Wales is a not-for-profit organisation focused on education and advocacy to inspire mentally healthy ethnically diverse communities by providing support appropriate to their mental health and wellbeing.
Saheliya (Edinburgh and Glasgow) Saheliya is a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (12+) in the Edinburgh and Glasgow area. Their staff are from a variety of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds and they all have an understanding of how race, gender and culture affects the mental well-being of black and minority ethnic women and girls.
If you have any feedback or need any support from BAPO to further support colleagues and communities affected by this, please email : enquiries@bapo.com