We want to get Black* men in Sheffield talking. It’s time to start a conversation about what’s happening for us, including the difficult bits.
To do this, we’ll be talking: we’ll be sharing flyers, stories, podcasts and more. Our first publication is Ainsley’s story.
If you’d like to join this conversation, and help other Black men join in too, please add your email below:
Why are we doing this?
There is an over-representation of Black men in Sheffield’s mental health wards, but an under-representation of Black men in community mental health settings. Whether you use the words ‘mental health’ to describe your experiences or not, we know this needs to change.
We are a messaging campaign aiming to reach Black men who may be at risk of suicidal thoughts or feelings, led by SADACCA and Sheffield Flourish, with funding from Sheffield City Council. We intend to produce leaflets, hopefully podcasts, speak on the radio and go out into the community. Everything we’re sharing here is based on ideas and feedback from Black men, gathered through conversations during three sessions facilitated by Dr Delroy Hall.
If you need urgent help please contact Samaritans on 116 123, the NHS’s Single Point of Access on 0114 226 3636/ 0808 196 8281 (Freephone), or Shout by texting Shout to 85258. For more options visit Sheffield Suicide Support.
How you can help
Sign up above and let us know you’re interested in being involved. We’ve got a small amount of leaflets, let us know if you’d like some to share around.
We’re also looking for Black men to share their stories and photographs for the project. We aim to make a second leaflet that shows local faces of Black men in local spaces, so if you feel happy to share either of these please get in touch.
If you know of a service supporting Black men which we haven’t listed below, let us know.
If you need help
We aren’t a service so we can’t directly support you, but there is lots of support for Black men in Sheffield.
If you are happy to access generalist services, have a look at the Sheffield Suicide Support website, or the Sheffield Mental Health Guide, email us at [email protected] or call us on 0114 273 7009. You can also get in touch to talk through the options below.
If you’re after local services for Black people and/or men, here is our list:
- ADIRA: ADIRA provide a number of services centered on raising up the voices of the black community in Sheffield and the specific intersections with mental health.
- Men Up North: Men Up North is a men’s talking and support group. Their mission is to normalise honest conversations on male mental health and masculinity in the North of England.
- SACMHA Mental Health: SACMHA is a charity that supports anyone from any BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) background. At present they offer support to people in need of health and social care assistance because of their age, youth, disability, financial hardship or social disadvantage.
- Andy’s Man Club: Andy’s Man Club is a free drop-in aimed at getting men to open up about their mental health problems and help reduce stigma. You can pop in for a chat (or not – no pressure) and grab a brew. This is part of a wider national network.
- ACT Sheffield (Aspiring Communities Together): ACT Sheffield (Aspiring Communities Together) is a community organisation for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities across Sheffield. They deliver services that aim to tackle the persistent social and economic disadvantages, and educational barriers, that BME people face.
- Strong Minds Together: Strong Minds Together is a Sheffield based mental health support group for men. They support men aged 18 and above with all aspects of mental health.
- MAAN Somali Mental Health: Maan is a local charity working with the Somali community in Sheffield to help address mental health and related needs.
- Mankind Support Group: Mankind men’s group is an informal support group run by Sheffield Mind for men to meet up and talk, it runs weekly on a Tuesday from 5.00pm-7.00pm.
- Our Mel: Our Mel is a social enterprise that is rooted in Yorkshire and based in Sheffield. They are dedicated to exploring cultural identity, Black history and what it means to be a person of colour in Britain today.
- Black Minds Matter: Although it isn’t local, we recommend Black Minds Matter as they raise funds in order to connect Black people with certified, professional, culturally competent Black therapists for up to 12 free sessions.
- SADACCA: SADACCA Adult Day Care Centre is for older adults in Sheffield who are struggling to manage independently, or who are isolated or lonely. The service is for all older adults, and in particular those from African and Caribbean Communities.
*we are using the word Black here to refer to political Blackness, so we are aiming this campaign at anyone who is likely to experience racial discrimination based on skin colour.