Chasing the stigma mental health research project
Understanding Help-Seeking Behaviour in North West London with the aim of preventing suicides
Chasing Stigma – Social Finance partnership wishes to identify communities who are currently invisible to mental health support services because of their help seeking behaviours (or lack thereof), and to identify the barriers that limit their willingness or ability to seek help, as well as the opportunities that could improve it. This research will specifically explore awareness and usage of the Hub of Hope, wellbeing services directory, with a view to learning from the experiences of users and non-users and learning from other information sources that participants may use.
To conduct the research the BME Health Forum will coordinate and manage a partnership of six Global Majority led community organisations in North West London, supported by Central and North West London NHS Foundation, Public Health (Westminster City and Kensington & Chelsea Councils), One Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea Social Council.
The community oartners conducting the research are:
- MEWSo: Middle Eastern Women in Society is a women's charity run by and for women from ethnic minority communities. The majority of the communities served are from Middle Eastern, North African and Asian backgrounds. They have a strong focus on and connection with LGBTQ+ women within those communities.
- MBS Centre: MBS Centre is a long-established community organisation based in the Church Street ward of Westminster. Church Street is within the most deprived 10% local areas in the UK according to the 2015 Index of Multiple Deprivation. They have a strong track record of reaching and working with middle aged men.
- Iranian Association: The Iranian Association offers information and advice on immigration, welfare and housing. They have reach into both new and existing Farsi speaking communities across North West London, and like MBS, are able to attract and engage effectively with middle aged men.
- Make it Happen: Make It Happen is a group of parent carers of children and
- young people with special needs and disabilities, working together to help improve services for children and young people with autism and learning disabilities in Westminster.
- WAND UK: Women’s Association for Networking and Development addresses the problems facing women in isolated and excluded communities through drop-in sessions, outreach services and networking events. They are based in North Kensington and have a particularly strong reach in the deprived wards around their base in St Charles’ Centre for Health and Wellbeing, including Golborne, Dalgarno and those affected by the Grenfell tragedy.
- FAWA: French African Welfare Association works with families and individuals, who are struggling to adapt to life in the UK; provides advice and support on a variety of issues including health, welfare benefits and housing, parenting skills, training and employment, education, translation and interpretation services.
The project will be conducted with report finalised from August - October 2026.