Looking after your wellbeing can mean different things to different people. Your mental health, relationships, identity, sexual health and experiences with healthcare can all affect how you feel and the support you might need.
Mental health and Black communities
Black communities continue to experience significant inequalities within mental health services, including unequal access to appropriate support and greater use of detention and restrictive interventions.
In 2024/25, people from a Black or Black British background were detained under the Mental Health Act at around four times the rate of White people.
Read about racial inequalities in mental healthcare
Experiences of racism and discrimination can also affect wellbeing and experiences of healthcare. Support that understands culture, identity and someone’s individual experiences can make it easier to talk openly about what’s going on.
Looking after your mental wellbeing
Looking after your mental wellbeing can include:
- talking to someone you trust
- making time for things that help you feel connected or relaxed
- getting support with stress, anxiety or low mood
- speaking to someone outside your family or social circle
- accessing counselling or professional support
You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming before asking for support.
Culture, faith and expectations
Family, community, culture and faith can be important sources of identity, community and support. They can also influence how people think and talk about sex, relationships, sexuality, gender and mental health.
For some people, there can be a difference between what’s expected of them and what feels right for them personally.
NAZ’s FaithWorks programme was specifically developed to improve access to HIV and sexual-health education, support and testing within faith communities, using an approach intended to be sensitive and respectful of faith.
Support should give you space to talk about what’s important to you without making assumptions about your culture, faith, sexuality or relationships.
Being Black and LGBTQ+
Race, sexuality and gender can overlap in ways that affect someone’s experiences of healthcare, relationships and their wider wellbeing.
Racism, homophobia and transphobia can create barriers to good health and accessing appropriate support. NAZ provides culturally specific sexual-health and wellbeing support for Black, Brown, Global Majority and LGBTQ+ communities and recognises these overlapping experiences in its work.
Sexual health and wellbeing
A sexual-health concern can affect more than your physical health.
Worrying about an STI, receiving an HIV or STI diagnosis, difficulties with sex or relationships, concerns about sexuality or gender, or experiences of stigma can all affect how someone feels.
NAZ’s specialist counselling service specifically supports people with issues including HIV and STI diagnoses, psychosexual concerns, relationships, sexual and gender identity, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
If something’s worrying you, you can ask for support even if you’re not sure exactly what you need.