It is an honour to host guest blogs from social workers, researchers and people with lived experience of health and social care. This blog addresses core challenges for Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) and others involved in anti-racist mental health practice.
October is an important month as it marks World Mental Health Day and Black History Month. These two themes were explored at a brilliant webinar on anti-racist perspectives and the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) role. Shantel Thomas and Neil Sanyal share reflections on allyship and what it means for all involved in improving lives of those who experience racism in our society.
I am delighted to once again host adult social workers Nimal Jude and Liz Howard as guest bloggers, this time introducing their latest exciting venture, the Anti-racist Listening Project podcast. Making sure social work practice always challenges discrimination and oppression is imperative if we are to truly promote a human rights and social justice based approach.
Over the past few days, those of us in the Office of the Chief Social Worker for Adults and the Office of the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families have been shocked and horrified by the death of George Floyd. The subsequent outpouring of anger, despair and emotion that has followed has focused our minds once again on the presence of racism and intolerance in our societies.
For a uniquely personal take on matters of race, discrimination, unconscious bias and the many other issues thrown into sharp relief by recent events in the US, we are proud to present this excellent blog from Nadia Khan.
Nadia is a registered social worker, AMHP and Interim Service Manager for Mental Health with Bradford Council - her words are honest, powerful and inspiring.