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Tackling mental health stigmas in Afro-Caribbean communities

BBC Peter Merrifield is wearing a checked purple and white shirt. The background is blurred and he is standing in front of a wall with graffiti in the background.BBC
Hackney-born Peter Merrifield set up Support When it Matters following his own challenges with his mental health

"There is significant stigma within African-Caribbean communities around mental health and its connotations,” says Peter Merrifield.

The north-east Londoner’s personal experience of mental health challenges spurred him on to set up a social enterprise to help others from an African and Caribbean heritage.

Five years on, Support When it Matters (Swim) runs sessions in Hackney and across 13 London boroughs.

"Even though I had overcome my own mental health difficulties, I looked around and saw many people who hadn't, particularly men of African-Caribbean heritage who seemed to not be able to access services which were going to help them," says Hackney-born Mr Merrifield.

Figures show that Hackney is one of London’s most diverse boroughs, with a population of more than 250,000 and about 90 languages spoken.

Swim aims to help tackle the systemic barriers that affect black people in the UK's mental health system by prioritising talking therapies over medication and hospitalisation.

Jeanperry Mundabi is sat outside at a wooden table, in front of a wall covered in plants. He is wearing a green coat and purple checked shirt.
Jeanperry Mundabi says Swim "saved" him

Among those the organisation has helped is Jeanperry Mundabi.

Mr Mundabi was a professional dancer until he was hit by a car when cycling in London last year.

He says the social enterprise "saved" him.

"I ended up being homeless. If it wasn't for Swim, I would not be alive because I didn't feel seen," he says.

Elisha Griswood-Morris is sat on a sofa in front of a window. He is wearing a red, white and black patterned shirt with a grey waistcoat. He has large beaded necklaces with a wooden cross on and a brown hat on.
Recovery practitioner and mental health first aider Elisha Griswood-Morris says Swim creates a "comfort zone"

Funding for Swim, which also employs staff from an African and Caribbean heritage, comes from the local council, public health, charities and the prison service.

Elisha Griswood-Morris is a recovery practitioner and mental health first aider for the social enterprise.

"Mental health is seen as bad in the communities, it's seen as a weakness, it's seen as a failing and it's something not talked about," he says.

He says Swim "creates a comfort zone" because of its cultural awareness and acceptance.

"Normally people like someone that looks like them, sounds like them and uses the same language."

With World Mental Health Day on Thursday, Swim hopes its culturally-informed approach will help people from African, Caribbean, and dual heritage backgrounds, who otherwise might have struggled, find the right support.

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