NORM wellbeing project

Project Description

The purpose of the project is to develop toolkits to help parents and community leaders destigmatise and normalise conversation about mental health and wellbeing among young people from BAME backgrounds. This idea came through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) we had with young people/parents and one to one consultation with religious/community leaders in Hull.

Mental health and wellbeing is a “taboo subject” within many BAME communities. Children/Young people expressing feelings/emotions relating to mental health and wellbeing could be seen as a sign of weakness and not encouraged to speak or seek help/support, which prevents them from accessing early intervention. Normalising conversation around mental health allows young people to express their feelings/emotions, which impact their overall mental wellbeing. Most parents, carers and community leaders in BAME communities do not have the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to kickstart conversation around mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, this project is divided into two work packages (WP):

WP 1: Understanding the barriers to Normalising Mental Health and wellbeing Conversations among young people from BAME communities (Why are parents not comfortable discussing mental health issues with young people?).

WP 2: Co-creating a toolkit to support and empower parents and religious/community leaders initiate conversations with young people and their families on mental health and wellbeing.

The toolkit will contain resources and activities that parents and community leaders can adapt for their own use and tips on how to initiate conversation around mental health and wellbeing. This will be supported with suite of activities such as scripted role play involving actors to demonstrate to parents how to initiate conversations around mental health & wellbeing.

Data will be gathered using Photovoice/Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with young people and interviews with parents and community/religious leaders. This exercise will facilitate knowledge exchange among young people, parents and researchers about the phenomenon of interest.