Beneficiaries: African/Caribbean Individuals and Families experiencing mental ill health.
Started 2001. Aimed at addressing disadvantages, inequalities, and social exclusion amongst vulnerable individuals from the African/Caribbean communities, experiencing mental ill health through the provision.
The project previously provided a mental health advocacy service. Following the ending of its funding from Luton PCT, Dignity is now pioneering research into mental ill-health within the African/Caribbean community in Luton, in partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health England (NIMHE) and the University of Lancaster. The focus of the research is on faith and mental health. Links have been made with the University of Luton Research Dept to support the continuation of research into mental health once the NIMHE project has ended. Applications will be made to various funding bodies to develop services identified by the research. These services include: -
- Campaign to promote mental wellness amongst people of African – a “prevention better than cure”
- Conducting workshops on stress management, understanding and coping with depression
- Workshops on mental health and stigma
Faith and mental health – engaging with faith groups to assist in addressing with issues around mental ill-health and stigma (highlighting the degrading practice of ascribing labels to people with mental ill-health.
