The British Asian Trust is making a special appeal to create awareness about the huge mental health challenges in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Supported by a range of celebrity ambassadors from the UK and South Asia the ‘Change Minds’ appeal will include an Iftar event at Hilton Manchester Deansgate tonight (June 1) and an Eid celebration at Spencer House, London on Saturday 23 June.
Funds raised for the British Asian Trust’s mental health work in Pakistan will all be match-funded, doubling the impact of the donation.
The Iftar events, one of which took place at Kensington Palace Pavilion earlier in the week are attended by high profile community and business leaders, actors, entertainers and British Asian Trust ambassadors.
In Pakistan, as many as one in five families are affected by mental health problems, and yet there are fewer than 400 psychiatrists in the whole country.
Chief Executive Richard Hawkes said: “Mental health is a desperately under-reported and under-resourced crisis in South Asia.
"Without the right treatment and support, those affected risk being consigned to the margins of society. Not only is this a huge cost to individuals and their families, but to the national economy and future prosperity of Pakistan.
“At the British Asian Trust, we will develop mental health programmes within poor and deprived communities. We will raise awareness about mental health issues as it is a taboo subject in society.
"There is also a complete lack of clinical services for those needing support.
"We aim to improve access to clinical services, provide training and broaden understanding of mental health issues across Pakistan.”
In Bangladesh, he added, “In the coming months, we will be keeping refugee women and children safe from harm, and helping survivors recover from trauma.
"The funds raised from the Ramadan campaign will go towards these.
"We are also grateful for the generous support of our London Iftar partners: UBS Optimus Foundation, UBL (United Bank Limited), Zinc Occasions and BPF (British Pakistan Foundation) and our Manchester Iftar partners: UBL and Zinc Occasions ."
You can donate and find out more here
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