ILFORD, UK—The Sikh Community Care Project (SCCP) has launched a mental health scheme in response to the rising number of sufferers in need of help within the South Asian community.
The SCCP, based in Ilford, is a community organization focused on the development of the South Asian community. Providing healthcare, sports and recreational activities, as well as advice, information, and support for youth, women and elderly members of the local community, the organization continues to fill a gap in the community support service provision for South Asian members.
The SCCP is raising money for its workshop, the social care and community project, aiming to support those affected by mental health issues and their families. The organization began its fundraising by hosting a charity dinner and dance on Friday in Romford.
The group’s project manager, Jasbir Sanger, said: “More and more people are coming in with depression and a lot of [other] mental health conditions and stress-related conditions.
“The numbers have risen over the past two years and are getting higher and higher. More people are at least acknowledging it.”
The organization has been visited by those whose families refuse to accept their mental health condition. One such visitor was a young woman with bipolar disorder, whose family did not want to acknowledge her illness.
Mrs Sanger said: “They got her married and now it is affecting her married life, because the family doesn’t understand what is wrong with her. That is why we thought it was important to do this now; we are trying to get people to understand that support is out there, so [they] don’t let it get worse. People are able to attend workshops, as well as visit outside[of] them, to receive support.”
For more information on the Sikh Community Care Project or its mental health scheme, email Mrs Sanger on [email protected] or call 020 8554 3377.
