Well-being refers to a positive state experienced by individuals and societies, encompassing aspects such as mental, physical, and emotional health. It is influenced by social, economic, and environmental conditions, and is essential for quality of life and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society. Well-being can be categorized into different types, including emotional, social, and psychological well-being, each requiring specific skills to enhance. Overall, well-being is about how individuals feel and function in their daily lives.
What can affect the mental health of people from BME communities?
As well as the factors that can affect everyone’s mental health, people from BME communities may also contend with racism, inequality and mental health stigma.
Racism and discrimination
Racism can range from micro-aggressions (subtle but offensive comments) to explicit hurtful words to verbal or physical aggression. Experiencing racism can be very stressful and negatively affect your overall health and mental health.
Exposure to racism may increase your likelihood of experiencing mental health problems such as psychosis and depression.
If you’ve experienced racism, read our page on stigma and discrimination. While the page is about mental health, the tips on making a complaint are relevant to all discrimination cases. There is also a list of organisations that can help and advise you.
People from BME communities often face disadvantages in society which can increase the risk of developing mental health problems.
Different communities understand and talk about mental health in different ways.
In some communities, mental health problems are rarely recognised or spoken about. They may be seen as shameful or embarrassing. This can discourage people from talking about their mental health or seeing their GP for help.
We emphasise to our women that taking care of health is crucial for overall wellbeing and high quality of life. When you prioritise your health, you can prevent many diseases, main a healthy weight, boost your energy level and improve your mental and emotional wellbeing.
This group caters for 60+ women who may be isolated, have mental health issues, feel lonely and make new friends. They actively take part in various activities for stimulation.
In the last hour we promote independent daily living skills through armchair exercise to music and we play competitive ball games.
We emphasise that regular physical activities keeps you fit and well, and it improves mental health. Exercise also reduces risk of dementia and a whole range of conditions such as bowel and breast cancers, hip fractures in older people and type 2 diabetes.
These sessions motivate and build confidence in women who are suffering due to the impact of domestic abuse and isolation. These group therapy sessions have meaningful conversations and connections to thrive and overcome situations at home.
Lunch group organised by RWWA are great way to catch up with friends and make new friends. This may be the only opportunity to have a hot cooked meal. Sometimes we invite guest speakers and there are opportunities to play games and sing songs to break isolation.
We offer gardening to all the women which keeps them physically active and socially interactive while exposing themselves to nature and sunlight. Sunlight lowers
Blood pressure as well as increasing vitamin D levels in summer and the vegetables/flowers that are produces have positive impact on their diet.
Arts and crafts offer numerous benefits including enhanced creativity, improve fine motor skills, stress reduction, and increase cognitive function. Engaging in creative activities can boost confidence, promote self-expression and provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
We make recipes which are derived from various cultures of the service users. Healthy eating involves consuming a variety of nutritious foods in the right proportions to support overall health and wellbeing.
We organise annual day summer trips and bring the communities together, it offers families opportunity to go on a day out enjoy the seaside, the scenic views, shopping malls and the rides. This reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances creativity and production.
Summer fayre are held to fund raise for our organisation, it brings the community together, capacity building and breaking down isolation amongst the communities.