CAHN
Harm Reduction Initiative
The Harm Reduction Initiative has been set up for overseeing and implementing harm reduction programmes, raising awareness on harm related issues, preventative measures and educating our Caribbean and African Community. We have created an online platform (via Zoom) where we will be discussing issues that affect how our community accesses harm reduction services. Particularly those with enduring mental health issues, smoking related harms, drugs and alcohol misuse issues, suicidal thoughts as well as gambling issues. Each week we will look at different ways to support each other to raise awareness in our community, share tips and ideas on how we can access services and successfully complete treatment, training opportunities, one to one support for those that would prefer to remain anonymous and for confidentiality purposes as well as signposting to other harm reduction services. This initiative is not limited to people facing these issues, but loved ones as well i.e., family members.
Below is a diagram of our Harm Reduction Initiative at CAHN:
We will work together to tackle issues facing people such as suicidal ideation and raising awareness, substance misuse issues including drugs and alcohol as well as gambling addiction.
Raising Awareness on Suicide and Prevention
- In recent years, suicide rates among men in England and Wales have reached an all-time high.
- Young men of Black African or Black Caribbean origin are more at risk of taking their lives compared to white men.
- Factors such as psychological or physical abuse, bullying, unemployment, financial stress, and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated these issues.
- Black people are 40% more likely to access mental health treatment through the police or criminal justice system.
- They are more likely to be compulsorily admitted, placed in high-secure wards, and subjected to seclusion or restraint.
- Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) plays a crucial role in supporting the community.
Support at CAHN
CAHN offers culturally appropriate counselling services to address mental health issues.
- They provide Green & Arts Wellbeing services, offering creative and physical activities inspired by Caribbean and African culture, promoting mental and physical well-being as well as harm reduction support. CAHN offers an advocacy service to provide advice and support when dealing with other agencies, helping individuals navigate complex systems.
Raising Awareness on Suicide and Prevention
Facts:
. Alcohol has different health consequences for men and women. Long-term drinking is more likely to have negative health effects for women compared to men, even if the woman drinks less for a shorter period of time.
.Women who are dependent on alcohol are 50 to 100 percentTrusted Source more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than men who are dependent on alcohol.
Support At CAHN
.We promote prompt access to effective care, intervention, and assessment for victims or people at risk of harm.
.We promote safety, well-being, and care continuity to recipients of harm reduction/prevention services.
Raising Awareness on Gambling
CAHN aims to help individuals struggling with gambling addiction in GM. We aim to educate, raise awareness and provide a safe space for individuals struggling with gambling issues The group comprises of people who have directly experienced a gambling disorder or have been harmed by gambling addicts. CAHN will support in providing services such as the green and arts and well being services, counseling and advocacy support to Gambling victims.
We have created awareness on gambling-related harm in Greater Manchester. Furthermore, it is our goal to work collaborate, signpost and collaborate with other organizations to help people facing gambling-related harm.
Support at CAHN
.We will work in partnership and signpost those affected, either directly or indirectly by gambling, to organisations that could offer support with regards to counselling, education, recovery, and staying well.
.We will work alongside other organsiations such as GamCare and National Problem Gambling Helpline, GamCare, Gambling Annonymous.
