Black
Mental Health UK's (BMH UK) national service is being held in a month which also
marks the 10th anniversary of the death of David 'Rocky' Bennett.
Bennett is considered to be the
Stephen Laurence of the mental health world. Since his death, the most recent Count Me In Census report shows that detention rates of people
from African Caribbean communities continues to increase. People from this
ethnic group experience lower recovery rates and longer stays in care than their
white counterparts. They are also over represented in the most secure parts of
the system. A report by the Forum for Preventing Death's in Custody revealed a 40%
increase in the deaths of those detained under the Mental Health Act in
2007.
This is the only national event, organised this year,
which is open the general public and professionals working in this sector, on
the issue mental health within African Caribbean communities. With detention
rates under the Mental Health Act, at an all time high among black Briton's
experts indicate this issue now touches the lives of every black family living
in the UK.
Who will benefit: Health professionals, practitioners, managers, commissioners, church leaders, church members,journalists, researchers, academics, students, service users, carers and family members, students, social activist, community leaders, members of the public interested in learning more about this issue. Those wanting to learn how to more effectively engage with statutory services or assist in the community.
Educational objective: This national service is part of BMH UK's public education programme, designed to provide accessible information on this issue to all key stakeholder groups, with a focus on targetting those previously excluded from the decision making process, in order to see a quantifiable improvement in the exerpience of service users from African Caribbean communities and their families.
This event is part of BMH UK's awareness raising strategy to address stigma associated with mental illness and to provide easliy accessible information about this issue.
Price: Free but requires registration to book click here.
Location: The Emmanuel Centre , 9-23 Marsham Street. London SW1P 3DW. Map
Speakers:
Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey - House of Lords
Pastor Ade Omooba - co-founder of the Christian Victory Group and Christian Concern for our Nation
Alicia Spence - Director of Services, ACCI (African Caribbean Community Iniative)
Rev Paul Grey - Pastor of New Testament Church of God, author, publisher and former service user.
Prof. Suman Fernando - Consultant psyciatrist, academic, author and Bennett inquiry wittness.
Bishop Wayne Malcolm - head of Christian City Life (CLC), minister, author, radio and TV prodcuer.
Dr Richard Stone - David Bennett Inquiry panel member, Stephen Laurence Inquiry panel member.
Prof Sashi Sahidharan -Consultant psyciatrist, former Government advisor and Bennett Inquiry panel member.
Helen Shaw- co-director of Inquest and Bennett Inquiry panel wittness.
Matilda MacAttram - director of Black Mental Health UK
Pedro Okoro - chair of ACEA (African
Caribbean Evangelical Alliance)
Music for the the
evening
John
Fisher and the IDMC gospel choir
Please go to Black Mental Health UK events page if you cannot register via the links on this email.
Feel free to invite a friend
or colleague who you think might be interested in learning more about this
issue.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 30th October
Best wishes
BMH UK Events Team