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DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, LET'S PUSH FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH


MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UK ARE HIGHER THAN IN OTHER
GROUPS

JUSTIN
THOMAS


Young People's Laureate Theresa Lola (left) and poets Sarah Aluko (right) and
Jolade Olusanya provide a platform for young Black poets across London. PA Wire




Listen In English
Listen In Arabic
Beta V.1.0 - Powered by automated translation


October is Black History Month in the UK; the US and Canada celebrate it in
February. The occasion is a time to remember significant people and events in
the history of Africa and its diaspora. The event can be a valuable catalyst,
sparking or renewing year-round interest in history. After all, it is through
telling and retelling our histories we come to know and value ourselves and each
other.

As a child of African heritage attending school in Liverpool, UK, during the
1980s, I learned nothing about Black history or the broader story of Africa even
though I learnt about the Roman empire, the Venerable Bede, the battle of
Hastings, the Tudors and Stuarts. Africa, however, was a deafening silence, an
untold story. Fortunately, my favourite teacher, Mr Gurnham, also taught me that
learning is lifelong and can be pursued beyond the school walls.

My connection to Black history became an extracurricular activity, a topic of
much independent study. Conveniently, I lived near a book shop, Source Books,
that specialised in the history of Africa and its diaspora. The shelves were
stocked with titles such as The African Origin of Civilisation: Myth or Reality
by the Senegalese historian and anthropologist Cheikh Anta Diop. I also got my
hands on the writings of Ivan van Sertima, professor of Africana Studies at
Rutgers University. With fascination, I read many of Van Sertima's works: The
Golden Age of the Moor, African Presence in Early Europe and Black Women in
Antiquity.

Quote
Psychologists have become increasingly aware of how critical social identities
are for our health and well-being

Being immersed in these histories introduced me to impressive Africans, for
example, Abul-Hasan Ali Ibn Nafi, also known as Ziryab, meaning blackbird.
Ziryab was a celebrated polymath (chemist, linguist, astronomer, geographer,
poet and master musician) at the 9th century Umayyad court of Abd ar-Rahman II
in Cordoba. I was also introduced to the story of Mansa Musa, a contender for
the wealthiest man in human history, and more contemporary notables such as
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X). Beyond individuals, my reading also
awakened me to the historical and cultural significance of African Kingdoms such
as Timbuktu (Mali) and Benin (Nigeria). I laugh now, but as a young child, I
thought Timbuktu was an imaginary land like Narnia or Mordor.

While you're here
10 photographers document the Black Lives Matter protests in the US
Slavery statues: Injustice does not need to be set in stone
'We need a unifier': Martin Luther King III

History is vitally important. It goes way beyond the dry academics of knowing
facts and dates. The repeated telling of our stories strengthens social
identities and our sense of belonging to valued social groups. Such knowledge is
deeply enriching. It keeps us well and helps us flourish.

In recent decades, psychologists have become increasingly aware of how critical
social identities are for our health and well-being. For example, Alexander
Haslam, a professor of psychology renowned for his work on social identity,
writes: "Social identities — and the notions of 'us-ness' that they embody and
help create—are central to health and well-being."

A rapidly growing body of research demonstrates how a deeper sense of belonging
to a valued social group (national, ethnic, religious etc) leads to better
health outcomes across a broad range of complainants, including depression,
heart disease and stroke. The evidence supporting the "belonging effect" is now
so strong that psychologists are currently discussing a "Social Cure". This is
the idea that strengthening social identity accelerates recovery, promotes
resilience and reduces rates of illness reoccurrence or relapse.

ExpandAutoplay



The statue of Betty Campbell MBE by sculptor Eve Sherpherd (seen in the picture)
unveiled in Cardiff last year. Betty Campbell was Wales' first black headteacher
and a community activist, championing multiculturalism. Nelson Mandela asked to
meet her on his only visit to Wales. Throughout her teaching career, she
encouraged pupils to learn about the positive contribution of people of colour
to British life and helped create Black History Month. Getty

The prevalence of mental health problems among Black people in the UK is higher
than that of other groups. For example, the UK Government's 2017 Race Disparity
Audit reported that Black women were the group most likely to have experienced a
common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression. Similarly, Black men
in the UK were the group most likely to have experienced a psychotic disorder –
10 times more likely than white men. Black people are also at least four times
more likely to be detained under the mental health act (kept in hospital,
whether they like it or not) than their white counterparts. Similar data exist
for Black people in other European countries and the US.

Many social factors contribute to elevated mental health problems in the UK's
Black communities. Leading contenders include elevated rates of deprivation (a
lack of money, resources and access to life opportunities) and victimisation
experiences (bullying, discriminatory harassment, social exclusion). These are
issues that must be addressed across the board if we hope to reduce the rate of
mental health problems. However, in addition to meaningful/ethical social
change, strengthening social identities can also improve our mental health and
resilience.

Black History Month can be a catalyst, launching individuals on lifelong voyages
of historical discovery and rediscovery. History is storytelling, and
storytelling is psychotherapeutic. With October being Black History Month and
October 10 marked as World Mental Health Day, this is a time to remind people
that it is worth reflecting on history's critical role in promoting and
preserving psychological well-being of all people.

More from Justin Thomas
Passwords could soon be a thing of the past
The hazards and benefits of travel in a digital age
Don't ignore the many benefits of gaming
Published: October 09, 2022, 2:00 PM
Updated: October 12, 2022, 3:50 AM

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