Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder exist in the South Asian community, just as with any other health condition. 1 in 4 of us is affected in any year. It is therefore important that we understand the truth about mental health to break down stigma and make our lives better.

However mental health is often a taboo subject in the South Asian community. This stigma and discrimination prevents 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems from living their lives in full and doing everyday things like having relationships to looking for work. Fear of discrimination can also stop people with mental health problems from being open about how they’re feeling, and it can stop them from getting help when they’re unwell. For nearly a third of people with mental health problems said that the stigma wanted them to give up on life.

The shame and secrecy surrounding mental health problems often make it harder for people affected to get help and recover. Having a mental health problem is nothing to be ashamed of and talking about it helps tackle the stigma.

It is these stigma-related attitudes specific to the South Asian community that the City Hindus Network, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Hindu Association (MPHA) and with Time to Change, would like to address. Time to Change is an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink. This in the biggest attempt yet in England to end the discrimination that surrounds mental health. More details of the campaign can be found here.

You never know, tomorrow it could be you, or a sibling, a parent, a relative, a friend, or a work colleague.

It’s therefore time to break down the stigma and make our lives better.

It is time to raise awareness of mental health issues and change our attitude.

Come join us on Thursday 26 January at 6pm at the Metropolitan Police’s New Scotland Yard offices to help raise awareness of mental health and take the first step in breaking down the stigma in the South Asian community. The evening will consist of various speakers giving first-hand accounts of their personal experiences of mental health and stigma. This will be followed by a powerful short film 'Open Secrets' which tackles the issue of mental health stigma in a South Asian family and Q&A panel session with the speakers and other mental health experts on the stigma within the South Asian community.

Registrations close 2 days before the event. Further details are on our website at http://www.cityhindusnetwork.org.uk/2011/11/05/time-to-change-lets-end-mental-health-discrimination/.