UWE Bristol Equity, Bristol SU BME Network and MANDEM have teamed up to bring you an important event surrounding mental health.

In the UK rates of depression, anxiety and suicide are on the rise. One in four adults are diagnosed with a mental health issue each year and a record number of children are calling Childline with suicidal thoughts. On top of this, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45.

In light of this, this event seeks to explore the extent to which these issues can be attributed to our lifestyles and the societal pressures that are compounded by modern society. These worrying figures have occurred against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis and the age of austerity.

Considering that people of colour are disproportionately affected by mental health problems in the UK, we will also discuss how race intersects with the mental health crisis.

Evidently, it is paramount for us to build safe spaces to have an open and honest discussion about what we are experiencing, and attempt to come up with real solutions. At this event we will offer a space for accessible discussion and solution-based thinking.

Networking themes will be: race, self-care and masculinity.

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The panel will consist of:

Mena Fombo
Host and Chair
Empowerment Coach and Founding Director of Ojiji Purple Project and Black Girl Convention.

Mena Fombo is a purposeful coach, motivational speaker and activist. She is UWE Bristol Equity’s empowerment coach, delivering performance coaching combined with value led leadership skills and talent development.

Aaliyah Hussein
Founding Director of WeRise

WE RISE - Women Empowered Against Racism , Injustice, Sexism and Extremism. She is an activist for women's rights in Islam, and for true dialogue with the government and wider society in order to combat misunderstandings and the rise of extremism, both Islamic and from the far-right.

Dan Edmund
Co-founder of Milk for Tea, TEDx speaker and Entrepreneur

Daniel is a speaker and coach who is passionate about serving the male community and seeing men transformed from the inside out. Daniel is committed to inducing positive cultural change that progresses the mindset of men everywhere with MFT.

Elias Williams
Founder of MANDEM and Filmmaker (mandemhood.com)

Elias graduated from UWE in the summer of 2018 and is currently studying an MA in History at the University of Bristol. Elias’ work for MANDEM includes providing an online space for young men of colour to express themselves through writing, film and music, and has also included hosting panel-led discussions about topical issues around race, class and gender.

Vanessa Wilson
Elected Student Living Officer at the Bristol Students Union

An East London native with a Psychology degree, Vanessa is a passionate campaigner and supporter of raising mental health awareness. Vanessa has been a host at radio stations such as Burst, Ujima and 10Twenty. Vanessa has featured on the BBC as a presenter and has been shortlisted for the Bristol BME Powerlist.