THERE has been much focus on mental health since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and the rolling lockdowns across the world including the UK, making it tough for people to seek help.
This week (June 14-18) being the Loneliness Awareness Week, a moving video has been created by the Randal Charitable Foundation and award-winning British Indian pianist and composer Rekesh Chauhan to raise awareness about loneliness, isolation and mental health issues.
The video, titled ‘Feel So Alone’ features vocals of MOBO-nominated artist Ayanna Witter-Johnson, with the film directed by a BAFTA crew of choreographer and dancer Oliver Robert Russell.
Studies have shown how the pandemic has led to a surge in those seeking help, particularly Asian communities needing tailored and culturally sensitive support services to tackle mental health issues.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said ethnic groups suffered a “triple whammy of threats” to their mental health, incomes and life expectancy that left them more vulnerable to the pandemic. The mental health of BAME workers had suffered most during the outbreak, ONS data revealed.
Last year, Rekesh had released a visual arts production depicting a real-life case study of an individual who experienced mental health issues. The production had an estimated reach of over one million people to help reduce stigmas of mental health in South Asian communities. Prime minister Boris Johnson personally commended him for his work on this particular production.
"I hope you found the video as moving as I did. Our ambition is to use this as a vehicle to encourage people suffering with mental health difficulties to seek help, at a time when feelings of isolation, loneliness and anxiety are endemic throughout society," said Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, an award-winning entrepreneur and founder & chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd - who has also established the Randal Charitable Foundation.
As a foundation it predominantly supports other charities with a clear, unwavering emphasis on saving lives, helping the socially disadvantaged and improving the quality of life for those in need in the UK and around the world. Its focus is also to support issues connected to health, disability, addiction, mental health, poverty, education and social disadvantage.
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)