Feniks
To extend our involvement of communities that experience mental ill health the most, we've partnered with Feniks to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination within the Polish community in Scotland.
We have been working with Feniks to look at reducing mental health stigma in discrimination for the Polish community in Scotland.
Over the years we have trained Polish Champions and ran our Pass the Badge campaign in Polish, translating the messages on the badges into Polish so they could be shared through the community.
Currently we are working with them on reducing the suicide rate of Polish men in Scotland, and finding ways to tackle the stigma that is stopping them for asking for help.
A report from Feniks and NHS Scotland in 2018 found that the level of suicides among the Polish men in Scotland was nearly twice as high as among the Scots (96% higher).
On July 23rd we held an event together, It's Okay to Talk, to launch Mental Health & Suicides Among Polish Men in Scotland, 2020, a report looking at what is contributing to the suicide rate, and what we can do to stop it.
See Me and Feniks video on the issues Polish men in Scotland face.
Polish language version of See Me and Feniks video on the issues Polish men in Scotland face.
The report found Polish men living in Scotland don’t feel like they can talk about their feelings, which can lead to them turning to suicide.
From 173 men who answered the questionnaire 66% admitted they had suicidal thoughts and 24% attempted suicide.
Stigma plays a big role in Polish men not wanting to talk about their feelings, often they stigmatise themselves and don’t think they should reach out to others.
The most common reasons they can’t talk about how they’re feeling are loneliness, homesickness and difficulties in creating meaningful friendships with other men.
Socially, they don’t think they have anyone to talk to, there is a lack of opportunities to meet new people who might give help and support and there is toxic masculinity in males friend groups.
There are institutions barriers. A lack of understanding of the Scottish health care system is a big barrier to Polish men asking for help, they don’t know where to look or how to use it.
What Can Help?
The report highlights some actions that could be taken to help change the current situation. If you think that you could be involved in the change, then let us know.
- Create opportunities for Polish men to increase their self esteem and make them feel that their contribution (economic and social) to this country is recognised and appreciated.
- Create socialising opportunities for Polish men within their community, which involve activities not directly related to mental health but gives the opportunity to talk, like men’s sheds, language classes or board games.
- Raise awareness of the available sources of support both in the NHS and through organisations like Samaritans.
- Creating an information brochure in Polish explaining how the health system in Scotland works.
- Develop a mental health strategy for the polish community.