Black History Month: Reclaiming Narratives in Mental Health

This Black History Month, we’re focusing on Reclaiming Narratives—highlighting the mental health struggles faced by Black communities and reshaping how these stories are told and supported.

Black Mental Health in Numbers:

-Black individuals in the UK are 4x more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white individuals.

-Only 6% of Black British adults seek psychological therapies compared to 13% of white individuals (NHS Digital, 2021).

-Institutional racism contributes to the overrepresentation of Black individuals in psychiatric hospitals.

Reclaiming the Narrative:

At Nafsiyat, we’re rewriting the narrative by:

-Promoting culturally sensitive therapy.

-Supporting the training of Black therapists.

-Offering cultural competence training for mental health professionals to provide more inclusive care.

This Black History Month, let’s commit to action. By understanding the systemic barriers and reclaiming these narratives, we can create a future where Black individuals receive the care and support they deserve—without stigma, exclusion, or discrimination.