Sixty South-Asian women in Oldham have become community mental health champions. 

The women will work to help people, particularly women, in their communities access mental health support. 

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in Oldham, in partnership with Women’s CHAI Project, set up dedicated training sessions to help tackle mental health issues. 

The campaign began after research indicated women, particularly those of South-Asian heritage, struggle to access mental health support. 

Training sessions held by the partnership teach about the symptoms and causes of mental illnesses and what mental health is in general. 

They also discussed the impact that stigma around mental health has on individuals who want to seek help.

With a particular focus on Islam, the women were taught about health and wellbeing, and how people can improve their own mental health and support others.

They also gained an understanding of what services are available in the area.

Nicky Littler, director of workforce at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are passionate about addressing health inequalities and reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

“Our partnership with the Oldham Women’s Chai Project has been an amazing opportunity to connect with the women in the community and help to bring about change.”

Through the co-production of a mental health champions training programme and development of the network, the initiative is aiming to help increase mental health awareness and empower people in the community to signpost and support others.

The programme has received high praise from participants. Volunteer Yaasmin Mughees said: “There was a time when talking about mental health was simply not done and was frowned upon, particularly in our community.

“But now, thanks to this training, more and more people are talking about their mental health, as well as those around them and the challenges it can bring.

“We’re more aware of the signs of poor mental health and feel that we can now offer helpful advice on a more personal level to someone going through mental health issues.”

The completion of the training comes just in time for South Asian Heritage month, which started last week.