Ninette Osei Wilson
A bit about me...
My name is Ninette Osei Wilson, a Hackney born Ghanaian that works within mental health as a Peer Support Worker with the NHS and, in other areas of the field on a freelance basis.
It was a personal experience that propelled my in the direction of mental health. While I had long heard and witness incidences of police brutality, racial discrimination and injustice, I believed somewhere that I would never come face to face with such abhorrence. This is considering that the Metropolitan Police are meant to 'Protect and Serve' the public. As a society we have witness uncountable cases where the police are the perpetrators of heinous crimes.
The aim of my work is to help ensure that there is support for individuals, in particular people of colour, that is person centred and non-discriminatory. Our healthcare systems do also have a substantial amount of work to do in equality for Black and ethnic minorities. There are countless statistics that show that people of colour are more likely to encounter a mental health issue than in relation to the Caucasian population in the UK. That being said, support for ethnically diverse groups do not seem to be reaching those in need.
What's the cause?
A multitude of reasons no doubt, some of which I too am aware of. However I do know that stigma, inside and out of the Black diaspora is a key determiner of why some people do not seek mental health support and, also why discussions aren't being had more openly within ethnic communities. I believe there is hope. It is not all bad. The pandemic enabled talks about mental health to become a little more normalised, as everyone was impacted in some shape or form.
It's the people I encounter through my work combined with my 'living experience' (thank you Karen & Sarah for this one :)) with a growing desire, passion to make a positive impact. Implementing the changes I would like to see in myself, aiding others to do the same and being dedicated to bringing about change from the inside out and outside in. Maintaining mental wealth is equally about what we do for ourselves, to nourish our beings as well as the external support that should be available for all people irrespective of their ethnic background.
Follow me on my mental health and life endeavours :)
@ninette_osei & @ninettewashere