Question

Mental health issues do not discriminate. We are all potentially vulnerable. Yet, mental health issues remain a taboo subject for many people. There is the potential for this ‘taboo’ to become even more so as people cope with increasing and varied forms of hardship resulting from the pandemic. I applaud the initiatives taken by WBC with Citizens Advice to expand mental health supports. However, I am concerned that the cultural diversity, which is so important to our Borough, creates challenges when it comes to responding effectively to culturally specific mental health needs. Are there any specific concerns that WBC is particularly worried about regarding this matter and if so, how is WBC responding?   

Question

Mental health issues do not discriminate. We are all potentially vulnerable. Yet, mental health issues remain a ‘taboo’ subject for many people. There is the potential for this ‘taboo’ to become even more so as people cope with increasing and varied forms of hardship resulting from the pandemic. I applaud the initiatives taken by WBC with Citizens Advice to expand mental health support. However, I am concerned that the cultural diversity, which is so important to our Borough, creates challenges when it comes to responding effectively to culturally specific mental health needs. Are there any specific concerns that WBC is particularly worried about regarding this matter and if so, how is WBC responding?   

Answer

Whilst Covid-19 affects all of us, with respect to both physical and mental health, there is evidence that certain groups in the Borough are affected disproportionately. Physically, those are older, deprived, male and from the BAME groups have a higher prevalence and poorer outcomes.  In terms of mental health these groups will of course have a more direct impact from the disease itself and due to losing loved ones. However, there is also evidence that BAME, older isolated, carers, LGBTQ+ and young mothers have suffered from a higher level of distress than the population as a whole. As an example:

• BAME populations are disproportionately affected due to Covid-19.  A survey of over 14,000 adults by the mental health charity Mind has revealed that existing inequalities have had a greater impact on the mental health of people from BAME;

• There is also a higher incidence of mental health issues in the LGBTQ+ community. A study by UCL and the University of Sussex in June noted an increase of 123% in crisis calls to the foundation during the pandemic;

• Nonpaid carers as well. The increased sense of isolation, the lack of face to face support and respite as well as anxiety related to caring for those at higher risk from Covid-19, has also had an impact on this group.  72% of carers said they had thought they had suffered poor mental health as a result of caring, prior to the pandemic.

These groups have been supported by the Community Response with welfare check calls to the vulnerable and to carers. Additional support for young mothers was put in place by WBC and Primary Care. (e.g. additional Health Visitor surveillance).

Whilst the key messages have gone to the population as a whole, in terms of advice and guidance, how to keep safe, and how to access support, the BAME Forum has been accessing and engaging specific groups to try and assist further. Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust jointly provides Community Mental Health Services in Wokingham Borough with Wokingham Borough Council and has BAME and LBGT leads and forums. The Trust are committed to improving access by hard to reach groups and are connecting to local community groups in Berkshire to assist people in accessing and navigating the mental health services systems.

Supplementary Question

Thank you for that response and for demonstrating that our Council is being proactive in this matter. 

I am wondering, given the importance and complexities of culture and mental health, whether the Council could also consider a range of additional measures.  For instance exploring further best practice in this area particularly in the context of Covid-19, innovative approaches to reach out and better understand some of the cross-cultural mental health issues and needs, and perhaps engaging with some of the specialist voluntary organisations with specific expertise in cross-cultural specificities of mental health?

Supplementary Answer

We are trying to be proactive and we are trying to listen as we go along and basically to make sure that we do the best job possible for all of our residents.  If you would be so kind as to e-mail me with any suggested groups or approaches I would be more than happy to take it up with the relevant Officers and ask them to make sure that these people are included.

We try to design basically one approach for all but it is important to us that nobody is left behind and the views and opinions of all residents go into what we are doing.  So please e-mail me directly and I will take it up with the Officers for you and I will be happy to come back to you on progress and seek your feedback.