Breaking Down the Mental Health Stigma – One Bite at a Time
We are FINK, a social enterprise (50% of our profits go towards mental health charities and initiatives) street food and events caterer who are serving delicious Middle-Eastern Style food to break down mental health stigma.
It all started in essence a few years ago when we both started discussing what a business of our own could look like having been working for the same catering company for over 4 years. We believed we could achieve something great through combining 2 things incredibly important to us, mental health and delicious food.
The Result?
A whole business geared towards supporting and raising awareness of mental health, and helping to break down the stigma, one bite at a time through incredible eating experiences. if you want to learn a bit more about us, our story and our motivations, you can listen to our radio interview here https://www.eatfinktalk.com/post/new-beginnings
What is the issue?
Sadly the stats show us that:
- 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem this year.
- Less than 1/3 young people with a diagnosable mental health condition get access to NHS care and treatment.
- Deliberate self harm amongst children has risen by 68% over the past 10 years.
- 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives.
Often, people with mental health issues say that social stigma and the every day discrimination they experience can make their health issues worse and be a barrier to recovery.
Stigma and negative attitudes towards mental health issues are a massive barrier to people reaching the help they need.
It is these challenges that spurs us to keep pushing on in our ambitions to help make a change. It’s vital we all work together to break down prejudices. Here are some quick ways we can all tackle stigma…
- Talk openly about mental health with our friends, colleagues and peers
- Educate ourselves on the facts surrounding mental health
- Challenge stigma when we see it, whether on TV, in person or on social media
- Be conscious of the language we use when talking about mental health
- Be there for your friends and family and #JustCheck they are really okay
- Get involved with the Time To Change campaign – https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
Time To Change is an amazing campaign on a mission to change the way people think and act about mental health problems. They work directly with employers, the community and young people to tackle stigma at all levels.
We all have the power to tackle mental health stigma. Today, why not reach out to one of your friends to #JustCheck that they are really okay? It’s down to us to break open the conversation.
As of right now, in the “new normal” setting we find ourselves in, checking in on others who may be feeling more alone than ever is incredibly important. By providing information, supporting services and raising awareness we are promoting positive mental health attitudes and encouraging people to make positive steps to improve their own mental health. There are loads of incredible organisations out there, a lot national, often with more specific support available local to you, who can help such as (but certainly not limited to)
- Mind Charity https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Time2Talk https://www.timetotalkuk.org.uk/
- TimeToChange https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
- YoungMinds https://youngminds.org.uk/
- Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/
- CALM https://www.thecalmzone.net/
We are currently cooking up some incredible signature FINK Falafel or Chicken Shawarma Mezze boxes which are available in several ways from a pick up service from the Globe Pub in Newbury, street food markets and delivery straight to your workplace. Email us at [email protected] to find out more, visit our instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/finkstreetfood/ or visit our website eatfinktalk.com
Working with organisations promoting nutritional and life well-being is a huge motivation to us as it directly ties in with our core mission to promote good mental well-being and help break down the stigma surrounding it. The teaching of good nutrition and diet to anyone, can help give a good basis and Nutritank is doing fantastic work in this regard.
We are still early days in our mission, but please do give us a follow and help us #bEATthestigma Lewis & James
#EatFinkTalk
