Sheffield organisations team up to address mental health challenges of black men

Organisations in Sheffield are teaming up to deliver the next instalment of a series of mental health events, this time focusing on challenges faced by black men.
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Adira – a survivor-led group supporting the black community with their mental health – hosted two Black Mental Health Live events last year, in association with Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust and Sheffield Flourish.

In the previous events, organisers said it was apparent that ‘black masculinity and trauma’ were important topics for discussion, which is why they have been chosen as the main focus for the next session.

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Wilster Mafoti, who will be speaking at the event, said: “I’m going to talk about my struggles and issues with mental health and how Adira, the organisation, works on tackling that.”

The challenges faced by black men will be the main focus of the Black Mental Health Live eventThe challenges faced by black men will be the main focus of the Black Mental Health Live event
The challenges faced by black men will be the main focus of the Black Mental Health Live event

The 22-year-old describes himself as “an aspiring entrepreneur” who uses his money to give back to those in need.

Wilster told how the addressing of his mental health issues enabled him to “feel a chance”.

The discussion will feature a range of other speakers who will help explore the impact of systemic, societal and cultural challenges on black men.

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Issues to be discussed include looking at what preventative measures can be put in place to reduce the number of black males losing their lives to suicide, given that black men – compared to men of other ethnicities – are more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act.

Another issue will address why prisons and secure mental health wards are overrepresented by black men.

Black Men, Trauma and Mental Health will take place online on June 24, at 7.15pm.

For more information, see here.

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