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Mental health
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
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Onset of mental health problems
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Hallucinations & delusions
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Living with mental health problems :
Ways of describing mental health problems
Losses & gains: affects on everyday lives
Discrimination - mental health
The role of family, friends & carers
Support from charities & support groups
Complementary & alternative medicine (CAM)
The role of faith, spirituality & religion
What else helps
Getting information
Recovery
Experience of mental health services :
Outpatient & community services
Being in hospital
Being sectioned under the Mental Health Act
Prescribed medication & side effects
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
Subject index
Clip
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Niabingi - Interview 01
>>
Niabingi was concerned about losing her place in a hostel and appealed to a Mental Health Review Tribunal (played by an actor).
This 42 year old Black, British born woman was diagnosed at the age of 25 with paranoid schizophrenia but disagrees with the paranoid part. She believes that her mental distress was caused by the racism she experienced when growing up.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
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Aged 20 - 29
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Ali - Interview 33
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Ali says his antidepressant is the best medicine in the world and although it gives him some side-effects it stops him from getting depressed. (Played
Ali, 27, was born in Pakistan and has been studying and working in the UK. Ali says that although it's easier to explain things to professionals from the same culture, as long as the other person is understanding, you can always clarify things.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Niabingi - Interview 01
>>
She's ambivalent about taking an antipsychotic; although she realises she needs it she feels she isn't well if she's taking medication. (Played by an
This 42 year old Black, British born woman was diagnosed at the age of 25 with paranoid schizophrenia but disagrees with the paranoid part. She believes that her mental distress was caused by the racism she experienced when growing up.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Niabingi - Interview 01
>>
Niabingi realised that racism had played a part in her developing schizophrenia when she stayed at a BME hostel. (Played by an actor).
This 42 year old Black, British born woman was diagnosed at the age of 25 with paranoid schizophrenia but disagrees with the paranoid part. She believes that her mental distress was caused by the racism she experienced when growing up.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
Sara was "thrown out" of school after taking an overdose. (Played by an actor).
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
Ataur - Interview 03
>>
Ataur describes the side effects he experienced when he reduced his dose of medication and what happens when he gives up medication; says he feels the
This 60 year old, Bangladesh-born man moved to Britain in 1964 and developed depression aged 17. He believes a weak mind makes it difficult for him to deal with life's problems and finds talking with friends the best way to manage his depression.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Dolly - Interview 14
>>
Dolly describes her reasons for wanting to stop taking her medication and the importance of having a "supportive structure" around her.
Dolly, a 36 year old writer and author of The World is Full of Laughter, is of mixed ethnicity (White/Asian), and first experienced psychosis aged 14. She finds Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Buddhism and meditation very useful.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
Sara says her mental health team were patronising and didn't listen; she didn't feel like a "free citizen" when she returned to the community after le
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Devon - Interview 12
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Devon reflects on why Black people don't want to use services and says the system needs to be made more attractive to them.
Devon, 49, is married and was born in Jamaica; he came to the UK in 1965. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia aged 22 and depression aged 48. He is a founder member of the organization Sound Minds - www.soundminds.co.uk - a user-led music project.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Imani - Interview 26
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Imani compares two different counsellors and says one seemed to be afraid of her.
Imani, 48, describes herself as African-Caribbean, and was born in the UK. She was diagnosed with depression aged 47 having survived an abusive marriage. Imani is feeling better now she is taking antidepressants and having Christian counselling.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
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Nelsy - Interview 21
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Nelsy had suicidal thoughts when her counselling sessions ended too soon.
Nelsy, 56, was born in Colombia and has been in the UK for 19 years. Nelsy experienced a nervous breakdown. She believes that illnesses are caused by accumulated anger and "fear of the social pressures for an impossible social equality".
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Judy - Interview 05
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The drowsiness caused by too high a dose of her medication led her to fall asleep on a bus late at night.
This Black-Caribbean woman was diagnosed with manic depressive psychosis in Jamaica. She says she has not been back to hospital for 6 years because she hasn't stopped taking her medication, even though it makes her extremely drowsy.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
Sara was distressed when the antipsychotic she was forced to take gave her facial hair, incontinence and weight gain.
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Jay - Interview 27
>>
Jay describes various side effects and felt "dirty" because one type of medication made her lactate (produce breast milk).
Jay, 42, describes herself as Black-British. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder aged 34 and now works in mental health. Jay's voices say mainly negative things, but two voices encourage her and give her tenacity and drive.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
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Aged 40 - 49
>>
Michael - Interview 31
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Michael was distressed when the antipsychotic he was forced to take interfered with swallowing and breathing.
Michael, 49, describes himself as a European Ashkenazi Jew. He has been given a variety of diagnoses, including bipolar affective disorder, personality disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, learning disability, and severe mental impairment.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Niabingi - Interview 01
>>
Niabingi was injected because she stopped taking her medication and says she felt undignified, upset and like "a passive animal." (Played by an actor)
This 42 year old Black, British born woman was diagnosed at the age of 25 with paranoid schizophrenia but disagrees with the paranoid part. She believes that her mental distress was caused by the racism she experienced when growing up.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
H. Y. Leung - Interview 29
>>
The language barrier meant she and the doctors did not understand each other and she was forced to take medication without knowing what it was. (Audio
HY Leung, 60, was admitted to a London psychiatric hospital. She says her doctors don't understand what she's going through. She feels God accepts and understands her, which supports her to face the challenges of her illnesses and to carry on her life.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
Sara says taking antidepressant would imply that her depression was caused by a chemical imbalance, whereas she regarded it as natural response to dis
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
Anton - Interview 13
>>
Anton takes no medication - he felt the doctors gave up on him.
Anton, 64, is an Asian man who came from Sri Lanka to the UK in 1962. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 45 and was given various medicines but none worked. Now he is not receiving any treatment: he was told by doctors they had "given up" on him.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
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Anton - Interview 13
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Anton wanted to try ECT although he was afraid, because nothing else worked and he thought it was worth the risk.
Anton, 64, is an Asian man who came from Sri Lanka to the UK in 1962. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 45 and was given various medicines but none worked. Now he is not receiving any treatment: he was told by doctors they had "given up" on him.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
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Lorenz - Interview 11
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Lorenz says his psychiatrist took on a "bizarre" appearance; he felt he was being spun around and pushed downstairs.
Lorenz is a 50 year old Black Afro-Caribbean man who has been in the UK since 1966. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20 and this is now controlled by the anti-psychotic Aripiprazole (10mg daily) enabling Lorenz to work as a social care assistant.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
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Aged 20 - 29
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Tariq - Interview 06
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When Tariq first began feeling unwell he didn't know what it was, but said it felt "normal" like having the 'flu. But he was still too embarrassed to
This 21 year old Asian student was diagnosed with manic depression and then schizophrenia. He disagrees that the mental health system is institutionally racist, saying that he encountered discrimination due to his mental health not his ethnicity.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
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Marlene - Interview 23
>>
Marlene doesn't know what causes her anxiety because she says "I haven't got anything on my plate". (Played by an actor).
Marlene, 38, was diagnosed with anxiety aged 24. Marlene's father is Pakistani, and her mother is white. Her sister, Shareen, was also interviewed.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
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Edward - Interview 10
>>
Edward had his first experience of psychosis after the "shock" of migrating to Australia and meeting his mother for the first time aged 20.
Edward, 59, was born in Australia and diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20. A former head teacher, he took early retirement for health reasons and now stacks supermarket shelves. He believes his condition is caused by genetic and environmental factors.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Nelsy - Interview 21
>>
Nelsy didn't realise she was experiencing mental health problems and was shocked when she was taken to a psychiatric hospital.
Nelsy, 56, was born in Colombia and has been in the UK for 19 years. Nelsy experienced a nervous breakdown. She believes that illnesses are caused by accumulated anger and "fear of the social pressures for an impossible social equality".
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Lorenz - Interview 11
>>
Lorenz also hears different kinds of voices and they mainly say "good things" but can tell him to hurt himself.
Lorenz is a 50 year old Black Afro-Caribbean man who has been in the UK since 1966. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20 and this is now controlled by the anti-psychotic Aripiprazole (10mg daily) enabling Lorenz to work as a social care assistant.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Jay - Interview 27
>>
Jay says she hears her voices constantly and they say mostly negative things, apart from two voices that encourage her.
Jay, 42, describes herself as Black-British. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder aged 34 and now works in mental health. Jay's voices say mainly negative things, but two voices encourage her and give her tenacity and drive.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 20 - 29
>>
Chapman - Interview 20
>>
Chapman has seen people who looked real but weren't, including someone attacking him with a knife.
Chapman, 23, describes himself as Black-African and was born in Zimbabwe. He has been in the UK for 7 years and is awaiting the decision of an application for asylum. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia at the age of 20.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
For Sara, self-harm was a way of punishing herself but now she feels her self-esteem is better she doesn't want to do it, although she still has negat
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 20 - 29
>>
Ali - Interview 33
>>
Ali feels guilty and helpless, and has suicidal thoughts which seem to help to lift his spirits. (Played by an actor).
Ali, 27, was born in Pakistan and has been studying and working in the UK. Ali says that although it's easier to explain things to professionals from the same culture, as long as the other person is understanding, you can always clarify things.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Sarah - Interview 28
>>
She says it's difficult to communicate with her GP without her children to interpret for her. (Original interview in Cantonese, text in English).
Sarah, a married mother of 4, is Chinese and came to the UK from Hong Kong when she got married. She was diagnosed with depression when she was 46. Sarah gets a lot of comfort from her religion - she says she would feel very depressed without it.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Marlene - Interview 23
>>
Marlene feels the only person she can talk to is her sister [see Interview 22]; she says she doesn't talk to her parents because they don't understand
Marlene, 38, was diagnosed with anxiety aged 24. Marlene's father is Pakistani, and her mother is white. Her sister, Shareen, was also interviewed.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Raj - Interview 19
>>
He describes the effects on himself, his wife, and their relationship. (Audio in Punjabi, text in English).
Raj, 55, describes himself as British-Indian. He was born in India and came to the UK aged 13. He developed depression following a heart attack but says it took the doctor a long time to diagnose it. Raj's wife helps care for him.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Shaukat - Interview 17
>>
Shaukat goes to social events arranged by a support group and can relax and enjoy himself because they know how he's feeling and understand.
Shaukat, 36, was born in Pakistan and came to the UK aged 9. He has been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. He finds going to support groups and talking to other people with similar experiences supportive and helpful.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Raj - Interview 19
>>
Raj likes going to the support centre because he doesn't have to hide anything or worry about what people think. (Audio in Punjabi, text in English).
Raj, 55, describes himself as British-Indian. He was born in India and came to the UK aged 13. He developed depression following a heart attack but says it took the doctor a long time to diagnose it. Raj's wife helps care for him.
Mental health
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Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Reena - Interview 07
>>
She believes people use different terms to describe how they feel but it all stems from depression.
Reena, 42, describes herself as Bangladeshi, and came to the UK aged 9. She was diagnosed with depression in her early 30s.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Shaukat - Interview 17
>>
He couldn't describe his anxiety to the doctor and was worried about being given the wrong medication or being sent to hospital, so he told him he had
Shaukat, 36, was born in Pakistan and came to the UK aged 9. He has been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. He finds going to support groups and talking to other people with similar experiences supportive and helpful.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 40 - 49
>>
Jay - Interview 27
>>
When she was in hospital, she didn't tell anyone that she heard voices, only that her "head was noisy".
Jay, 42, describes herself as Black-British. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder aged 34 and now works in mental health. Jay's voices say mainly negative things, but two voices encourage her and give her tenacity and drive.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
Ataur - Interview 03
>>
He describes how, when he gets depressed, he feels as though his head is burning and itching.
This 60 year old, Bangladesh-born man moved to Britain in 1964 and developed depression aged 17. He believes a weak mind makes it difficult for him to deal with life's problems and finds talking with friends the best way to manage his depression.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Shareen - Interview 22
>>
She describes a range of symptoms including feeling hot and cold, "something in my mouth like a ton of bricks" and "twisted" tongue. (Played by an act
Shareen, 39, describes herself as Asian. She was born in the UK but lived in Pakistan between the ages of 11 and 19. Shareen experiences panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Shareen's sister, Marlene was also interviewed.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Marlene - Interview 23
>>
She feels like a different person and believes that some of her symptoms might be caused by the menopause and finds it difficult to make people unders
Marlene, 38, was diagnosed with anxiety aged 24. Marlene's father is Pakistani, and her mother is white. Her sister, Shareen, was also interviewed.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
David - Interview 15
>>
He describes his various symptoms, including feeling vulnerable, "horrible images" in his head, smashing things and screaming.
David, 37, describes his ethnicity as mixed (White/North African). David was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder and severe depression, 29 years after he first saw a psychiatrist. David's wife is also his carer.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
Ataur - Interview 03
>>
Ataur feels he must have some weakness that makes him more vulnerable to depression than other people.
This 60 year old, Bangladesh-born man moved to Britain in 1964 and developed depression aged 17. He believes a weak mind makes it difficult for him to deal with life's problems and finds talking with friends the best way to manage his depression.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Edward - Interview 10
>>
Edward believes that his mental health problems have a genetic component and an environmental trigger - in his case migration and meeting his mother f
Edward, 59, was born in Australia and diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20. A former head teacher, he took early retirement for health reasons and now stacks supermarket shelves. He believes his condition is caused by genetic and environmental factors.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Shareen - Interview 22
>>
Shareen asked herself why she was suffering and wondered whether she was being punished for something. (Played by an actor).
Shareen, 39, describes herself as Asian. She was born in the UK but lived in Pakistan between the ages of 11 and 19. Shareen experiences panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Shareen's sister, Marlene was also interviewed.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Nelsy - Interview 21
>>
Nelsy wrote letters to members of her family to express her anger.
Nelsy, 56, was born in Colombia and has been in the UK for 19 years. Nelsy experienced a nervous breakdown. She believes that illnesses are caused by accumulated anger and "fear of the social pressures for an impossible social equality".
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Edward - Interview 10
>>
Edward was so afraid and anxious he felt relieved when he was admitted to hospital.
Edward, 59, was born in Australia and diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 20. A former head teacher, he took early retirement for health reasons and now stacks supermarket shelves. He believes his condition is caused by genetic and environmental factors.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
H. Y. Leung - Interview 29
>>
She felt worried and sad when she couldn't communicate with the doctor in hospital. (Audio in Cantonese, text in English).
HY Leung, 60, was admitted to a London psychiatric hospital. She says her doctors don't understand what she's going through. She feels God accepts and understands her, which supports her to face the challenges of her illnesses and to carry on her life.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Dolly - Interview 14
>>
Dolly was admitted as a voluntary patient but was threatened with a section when she tried to leave.
Dolly, a 36 year old writer and author of The World is Full of Laughter, is of mixed ethnicity (White/Asian), and first experienced psychosis aged 14. She finds Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Buddhism and meditation very useful.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 60 - 69
>>
H. Y. Leung - Interview 29
>>
She did not realise at first that she was on a mental health ward. (Audio in Cantonese, text in English).
HY Leung, 60, was admitted to a London psychiatric hospital. She says her doctors don't understand what she's going through. She feels God accepts and understands her, which supports her to face the challenges of her illnesses and to carry on her life.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 20 - 29
>>
Ali - Interview 33
>>
Ali's considering going to a support group, but finds the idea a "bit daunting". (Played by an actor).
Ali, 27, was born in Pakistan and has been studying and working in the UK. Ali says that although it's easier to explain things to professionals from the same culture, as long as the other person is understanding, you can always clarify things.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Shaukat - Interview 17
>>
Shaukat tried hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques because he was not sleeping and was worried about losing his job; they helped him to sleep but di
Shaukat, 36, was born in Pakistan and came to the UK aged 9. He has been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. He finds going to support groups and talking to other people with similar experiences supportive and helpful.
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 50 - 59
>>
Nelsy - Interview 21
>>
Nelsy has trained to give massage and says giving and receiving massage is relaxing and helped her to cope with counselling.
Nelsy, 56, was born in Colombia and has been in the UK for 19 years. Nelsy experienced a nervous breakdown. She believes that illnesses are caused by accumulated anger and "fear of the social pressures for an impossible social equality".
Mental health
>>
Mental health: ethnic minority experiences
>>
Aged 30 - 39
>>
Sara - Interview 32
>>
Sara has found different supplements and herbal remedies helpful for relaxation, sleeping and reducing her depression, but says they were not a "magic
Sara, 34, describes herself as Indian and has a diagnosis of depression. Sara's food bingeing was interpreted as psychotic behaviour and she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In her late twenties, however, a specialist diagnosed an eating disorder.
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