YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS Mental health support this winter

Your mental health matters

This Christmas and New Year many of us will be looking forward to spending a joyous time with family and friends. For others the festive holiday season can be a difficult and often lonely time more so this year, due to fears over jobs, the economy and the on-going pandemic.

The Brent Health Matters programme, which looks to address health inequalities, has made mental health one of its key priorities. In September, it formed the basis for our regular Community Forum, which is an opportunity to listen to the views of the community. ‘Black Men and Mental Health’ was recently the subject of the monthly phone-in on the The Beat radio station, which in turn has led to a new film on the subject. In October ‘The Brent Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health Project’ report was published, drawing together findings from surveys in Church End and Alperton. Councillor Neil Nerva, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure, said: “Your mind matters, so if you are struggling with your mental health, get the help you need. It’s out there and we are working to make it better.” “The physical impact COVID has had on health may be well known, but we shouldn’t overlook the damage it has inflicted on mental health. The anxiety the virus has caused, the effects of isolating, and the impact of missing out on social interaction – these factors have all taken their toll.” If you are struggling to cope this winter, please ask for help, you are not alone. For further help and advice on Mental Health Services and Mental Wellbeing, see www.brent.gov.uk/mentalhealth. The Beat session is available on the council’s YouTube channel: youtube/ Ki00iB3Qick The Brent Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health Project report is available at: https://helpforce.community/enabling/publications

Your mind matters, so if you are struggling with your mental health, get the help you need. ‘‘ ‘‘

The Dark Destroyer shines a light on the vaccine

The star of TV quiz show The Chase and Brent resident, Shaun Wallace has joined forces with the council to shine a light on how COVID has affected his community.

Known to millions as ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Shaun has made a film explaining why getting the vaccine has been a difficult decision for many. The short film explores Shaun’s own questions about the vaccine and why many in the Black Caribbean community feel hesitant about getting the jab. “I can understand the reason why they are so reticent,” he explains in the film, drawing on various concerns including historic mistrust of vaccines and the fact the vaccine was developed so quickly. However, Shaun revealed that he eventually got vaccinated and explains how he was able to overcome his initial concerns. “Over time I was won in relation to the various clinical trials which were conducted in relation to the two leading vaccines in this country and it eventually persuaded me that its effectiveness was not only for my betterment, but I think for the betterment of the whole of our community,” he said. Watch the film at https://youtu.be/j0uv2rUTksc or for more information about the vaccine visit www.brent.gov.uk/vaccine