HEALTH MATTERS
AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 THE VOICE | 35
AUG 29 - SEPT 4, 2013
HEALTHMATTERS
INSIDE:
i Mental Health: The Facts p36 i Benefits Of Psychotherapy p37 i Super Food: Chili Peppers p38
Time To Tackle Mental Health Issues
36 | THE VOICE AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
HEALTHMATTERS
It’s time to tackle all mental health issues We look at the impact learning difficulties have on our community By Hazelann Williams
W
HEN WE think about mental health issues within the black community we can easily be all too focused on the negative aspects of mental disorders, such as the prevalence of schizophrenia or other psychotic illnesses and the treatment and subsequent deaths of vulnerable people who have been failed by the institutions that were supposed to protect them. However, mental disorders affect a vast amount of people in many different ways and learning difficulties such as autism, dyslexia and Tourette’s syndrome are but a few. People with learning disabilities from black and minority ethnic communities continue to experience inequalities in health and social care despite various efforts to improve engagement. 100,000 AUTISTIC BLACK PERSONS LIVING IN THE UK Case-in-point it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 black people in the UK with autism and like all other ethnic minorities with learning disabilities recent research shows that lack of access and discrimination in seeking the care to which they are entitled is still a major problem. The reason for this may lie in a Mencap (the UK’s leading learning disability charity) report which stated that black people were almost always under-represented in the client base of both voluntary and statutory service providers. However, there are organisations that are working to change the status quo of mental health issues in the UK black and ethnic minority community, such as Black Mental Health UK (BMHUK). Matilda MacAttram, director of the human rights campaign group spoke to The Voice about the importance of early diagnosis for people with learning difficulties and explained why access to support services is vital for suffers and their families. “As with any health condition, the earlier the intervention, the less invasive the treatment,” said MacAttram on the need for early diagnosis for people with mental health issues. “If somebody has a physical health condition, like cancer and its caught very early, the treatment will be mild and recovery will be swift. But if somebody has an illness that is caught late, the treatment will be a lot more intense and recovery might not be so robust, that’s just how it works.” It has been found that when dealing with people who have mental health issues doctors and healthcare professionals lack the ability to communicate and fail
DIRECTOR OF BLACK MENTAL HEALTH UK: Matilda MacAttram
to listen or understand their patient’s problems. According to a formal investigation into inequalities experienced by people with learning difficulties and carried out by Leeds University, there is a tendency by doctors to do what is known as ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ where aliments are dismissed and diagnosed as different illness because of the lack of communication. MAJOR PROBLEM: LACK OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION For MacAttram one of the biggest problems in the healthcare system, when dealing with people who have mental issues is the lack of access to information. The campaigner believes that people from the black community do ask for help, but they are continually failed by the institutions who are supposed to provide the expertise. “ It’s important to dispel the myth that people from the African-Caribbean community do not ask for help early on, because people constantly ask for support and help and do not want the medical model and constantly ask for help and possible alternative therapies but they are only ever offered the standard medical model.” Many reports and organisations such as the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health argue that fear keeps families away from mental and social services, however the director of Black Mental Health UK says that the solution to getting help when diagnosed with a learning difficulty is simple. “A service needs to be tailored to meet the community it serves; it’s as simple as that. If it is not doing that it is failing, if those who need it are asking and not being given the service they need, it’s not being tailored in a way to be accessible.” “Service sectors need to listen to the people’s needs, see where they are and then set up something that is going to allow them to access it as they need it, that’s
Organisations are working to change the status quo of mental health issues in the UK.
“A service
needs to be tailored to meet the community it serves; it’s as simple as that. If it is not doing that it is failing. If those who need it are asking and not being given the service they need, it’s not being tailored in a way to be accessible ” just good service full stop. If you can do this for any other group, you can do this for our community, the services providers know where we are.” She continued: “We know that the NHS is the third largest employer on the planet, we know mental health is the third largest unit spend of the NHS budget, this is a billion pound industry, it is not peanuts, so when anybody cannot get the information they require, that is a failing of the services that should be in place to help.
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ETHNIC ISSUES IN MENTAL HEALTH Black and ethnic minorities are more often: 1. Diagnosed as schizophrenic. 2. Compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act. 3.
Admitted as ‘offender patients’.
4.
Held by police under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
5.
Transferred to locked wards from open wards.
6. Not referred for psychotherapy. 7.
Given high doses of medication.
8. Sent to psychiatrists by courts. 9. Have unmet needs. Source: S. Fernando (2003) Cultural Diversity, Mental Health and Psychiatry: The Struggle Against Racism FACT FILE 1. Diverse Minds was set up in 1997 with support from the Department of Health in response to serious concerns raised by people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities about the circumstances surrounding their experiences of mental healthcare in this country. 2. The 2008 Count Me In census revealed that overall rates of detention were higher than average among the black Caribbean, black African, other black and white/black Caribbean mixed groups by 20 to 36 per cent (Healthcare Commission, 2008). This is indicative of broader ethnic disparities within the mental health system, which affect all minority ethnic groups in a variety of ways.
For more information on mental health issues affecting the black community go to: MIND at www.mind.org.uk and BLACK MENTAL HEALTH UK at: www.blackmentalhealth.org.uk
HEALTHMATTERS
AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 THE VOICE | 37
“5 a day” actions for positive mental wellbeing
W
ellbeing is not just about the lack of illness or the absence of sadness or worry. Wellbeing can be thought of as a combination of our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health. Often, simple things such as accepting a compliment, recognising your strengths, or coping well with a stressful situation can help in getting us through the day and feeling mentally well.
POSITIVE VS. NEGATIVE COPING MECHANISMS It can be easy to turn towards negative coping mechanisms when you are feeling down, for example: drinking too much alcohol, misusing drugs; selfharm, acting in a way which is harmful to yourself or others around you or not dealing with anger appropriately. However, this type of behaviour will probably only make things worse in the long term and so it is important to look after yourself and actively engage in reaching and maintaining good mental health and wellbeing, using positive techniques. The Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing has been set up to advise the Government on how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for
everyone in the UK in the future.
appreciate what matters to you.
TIPS ON IMPROVING MENTAL WELLBEING
4. Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
The Foresight project report identifies the mental wellbeing equivalent of “five a day”. The suggestions for individual action to improve wellbeing, based on an extensive review of the evidence are: 1. Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day. 2. Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness. 3. Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you
5. Give … Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
SPIRITUALITY & WELLBEING Spirituality is a broad concept and can mean different things to different people. You do not need to belong to a formal religion to feel that spirituality is an important part of your life. Spirituality can involve feeling a sense of meaning in life and a sense of belonging, acceptance and ‘wholeness’ within your life and your experiences. Vist NHS CHOICES for more details.
Wellbeing: remember your five a day
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lnvest in your mental wellbeing… because you’re worth it!
ADVERTORIAL
We look at the impact learning difficulties have on our community Contributed
O
ur level of mental wellbeing affects the way we think and feel about, ourselves and how we deal with day- to - day life. It was well documented in the news recently that individuals don’t always have access to ‘Talking Therapies’ when they need it, or enough choice in the type of therapy they receive, and are faced with long waiting lists in the NHS. At WPF therapy we provide a range of Talking Therapies, charged on a sliding scale based on income (including a
low cost clinic). WPF Therapy views psychotherapy as an opportunity for individuals to invest in their emotional and psychological health. This has become increasingly important with the on-going pressures of modern day living and often time-poor lifestyles. Creating a confidential space to focus on psychological health is just as important as taking care of physical needs.
MANY BENEFITS Often individuals are unsure about how Talking Therapies could benefit them. Our clients
Psychotherapy is an opportunity for individuals to invest in their emotional and psychological health recognise that psychotherapy has a number of benefits and they refer themselves to us for a range of reasons. These include the desire to manage emotional distress, to find the
psychological resources to deal with the stress of significant life events or changes, to create a space to resolve troubling past experience as well as the wish to gain personal insight
and make the most of life and relationships. Our client feedback for 2012 showed 81 percent client satisfaction with the service they received and 90% satisfaction
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for the fee charged. Why not come and find out how Talking Therapies could help you by booking an Initial consultation? Call 020 7378 2002 and quote ‘THE VOICE’.
38 | THE VOICE AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
HEALTHMATTERS
African Caribbean Super food Red hot chili, scotch bonnet secret fact file…Shush! By Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye
R
ed chili peppers, West Africans are the most obsessed with them, over 60% of their dishes carrying hot peppered ingredients. Strange that African and Caribbean peoples from hot climes can withstand such hot dishes and have huge appetites for spicy peppered dishes. You’d think we would be great fans of lollipops or ice slushies instead. Whether the ingredients request them or not, we simply find it hard to resist tossing a few slices of Scotch bonnet into the pan. Yes that pretty red or yellow plant bulb that rolls fire along your taste buds is GV Media’s chosen African Caribbean super food. Chili peppers belong to the family of peppers called capsaicin. Capsaicin is a neuropeptide and is the key substance found in peppers. As a rule the hotter the pepper the more capsaicin it contains. The hottest tempered peppers are our beloved Scotch bonnet peppers, followed by Jalapeno’s as the next hottest pepper.
Below are some of the secret properties associated with the Super food Red hot Chili.
Here is a quick and easy recipe for you to try:
s High levels of capsaicin found in red chili and scotch bonnet is recently being studied for its effective treatment against sensory nerve fiber disorders, which cover familiar painful diseases such as, arthritis, psoriasis and diabetic neuropathy. Current research is persuaded that capsaicin is a natural pain relief and is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain. s Red chili peppers like cayenne have been proven to reduce blood cholesterol. The heart protecting properties of the hottest tasting peppers are the best kept secret. According to scientists surveys chili peppers protect the fats in your blood from damage by free radicals. Explaining perhaps why cultures that use hot pepper generously tend to have lower rates of heart attack and stroke, when eaten as part of a balanced healthy diet. s Another big secret is the fact that red chili peppers help to stop the spread of prostrate cancer, according to studies published in the 2006 issue of Cancer research.
HONEY ROASTED AUBERGINES WITH RED CHILI PEPPERS PREPARTION: 5 minutes TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes SERVINGS: 4 INGREDIENTS 4 or 5 baby aubergine, halved, or 2 regular aubergine, cut into 2-inch cubes 5 fresh red peppers, halved lengthwise 1/4 cup honey 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper DIRECTIONS STEP 1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss aubergine with peppers, honey, and oil to coat. STEP 2 Roast aubergine (skin sides up) and peppers on a rimmed baking sheet until aubergine is golden, about 20 minutes (if using cubes of aubergine, stir once every 5 to 7 minutes). Flip, and roast until aubergine softens, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. ADVERTORIAL
Free health check: For 40 - 74 year olds registered in Lambeth By Ashok Soni
D
o you know your blood pressure, cholesterol levels or body mass index? Do you know your risks of having a stroke in the next five years? If you’re an average person the likelihood is that your answer to any of these questions would be no and your attitude would be that you’re fit and healthy so why would I want to know. Well the risks caused by having high blood pressure or raised cholesterol levels are significant but actually unless you have these things checked you would have no idea of what your levels are because these are not things that make you feel unwell.
GREATER RISKS FOR AFRICAN CARIBBEANS These risks are also greater for African Caribbean’s and Asians as their genetic make-up make them more vulnerable and also puts them at higher risk of diabetes. Rather than waiting for something to happen it’s better to find out and see if any of these are raised and
what you can do to reduce them and your risks without having to rely on medicines. That may seem a strange thing to hear a pharmacist say but actually at Copes Pharmacy we are interested in your health and wellbeing and not turning a member of the public into a patient. If we can help you to know your numbers and what you can do to reduce your chances of something serious happening in the future then that’s good for you and me. If you are registered with a GP in Lambeth you may be entitled to a free health check and if you come to the pharmacy we can quickly check and let you know. If you’re eligible, in most cases, we can carry out the tests there and then or we can make a convenient appointment for you. Copes Pharmacy 570-572 Streatham High Road, London SW16 3QQ Tel: 020 8764 2910/8507 Fax: 020 8679 0274 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am till 7.00pm Saturday 9.00am till 6.00pm
If you’re not registered with a Lambeth GP or for some reason don’t qualify for a free NHS check we can still do all the tests for you at a fixed price. Please ask for details of current prices. We look forward to seeing you and helping you to stay healthy.
“If you are
registered with a GP in Lambeth you may be entitled to a free health check and if you come to Copes Pharmacy we can quickly check and let you know”
This FREE SERVICE only applies to persons who are registered with a GP in Lambeth. *Free NHS Health Check is only free once every five years and if receiving certain medication you may not be entitled.