Taking Action: Mental Health Awareness Week

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is Action. While awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action, too.   

Haringey is the third most deprived borough and has the eighth worst mental health in the UK with many residents experiencing mental health problems. One in four young people experience poor mental health in Haringey and waiting lists for mental health services are rising. 

Haringey is also one of the most diverse boroughs. Research shows that people from minoritised backgrounds both in terms of ethnicity but also gender have the worst mental health than the rest of the population.  In Haringey, 73% of suicides are men aged 25–44, with the highest concentration in the east of the borough, where deprivation is greatest. Ethnic inequalities are also stark: Black communities experience higher rates of severe mental illness and more crisis-led interventions, while African-Caribbean men are disproportionately affected by suicide. Despite this, many men—especially from marginalised communities—do not engage with traditional services.   

We know from conversations with residents across different communities that looking after your mental health is not always easy. Many residents face barriers to accessing support, including language barriers for those whose first language is not English, limited awareness of the help available, and the stigma that can still surround mental health. At the same time, everyday pressures such as the cost-of-living crisis can worsen existing mental health challenges. These are some of the realities many people face as they navigate their mental well-being. 

Reducing health inequalities is the heart of our mission. That's why we are committed to not only improving people’s mental and physical well-being through providing accessible services, but also to tackling the root causes of poor mental health in the borough through a racial equity lens. By working alongside our incredible partners and local communities, we are helping to shape services that are more inclusive, responsive, and better equipped to meet the diverse needs of people across our borough.