Yesterday we were honoured to be invited to speak at another conference at Bolton University. “Shifting Perceptions: Breaking the Stigma” addressed the topic of the still-prevalent stigma of mental health issues in South Asian communities.
Our CEO, Ghazala Baig, introduced the work of MedEquip4Kids and the Hummingbird Project, while our Project Manager, Ian Platt, presented in more detail about the impact of the six-week Positive Psychology course. Our team has now delivered the course to 6,605 pupils, including many British Asians and young people from all ethnicities and backgrounds, and aims to reduce stigma by encouraging open conversations about mental health.
We heard a fascinating series of presentations from eminent speakers around the world, such as Professor Dinesh Bhugra, Professor Nusrat Hussain, Professor Subodh Dave and Professor Amina Muazzam. Topics included the influence of geopolitical factors on mental health, understanding mental health stigma in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, suicide prevention within the South Asian community, and mental health care for healthcare professionals.
A huge thank you goes to Aisath Shahama and Professor Jerome Carson for organising such an interesting and important event, and for including us again in your programme.
Ian and Ghazala are pictured here speaking at the conference and later receiving their speakers’ trophies from Professor George E Holmes, Vice-Chancellor of Bolton University, and Professor Jerome Carson.
