In the UK, 25 % of people suffer from a mental illness at some point during their lives, and within ethnic minorities the prevalence of psychiatric disorders is higher.
Although members of the South Asian community visit their GP more than comparison White groups, they are less likely to have their psychological difficulties identified. As a result, they under-use mental health services, and there are serious concerns that where services are accessed they may not adequately meet cultural and religious needs.

It is also apparent that many South Asians chose to visit spiritual healers (Pirs, Mullahs, Imams), a diverse group with different approaches to their practice.

In this talk we hope to explore the findings of recent research into the role of spiritual healers and mental health services in the Bengali community of Tower Hamlets.

What are the challenges facing the mental health services in engaging ethnic minority communities? What are the possible ways forward in promoting co-operation between effective cultural/spiritual and medical approaches?

This event will be chaired by Dr. Ali Ajaz, a Forensic Psychiatry trainee based in East London.

Title: Sheikhs and Shrinks: A Look at Spiritual Healers and Mental Health Services
Speakers: Dr Simon Dein and Imam Abdul Qayum
Date: 10 February 2012 at 18:45
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP

Free entrance. All welcome. No reservation needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Sid on sid@thecitycircle.com .

The speakers:
Dr. Simon Dein is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Medicine at University College London, and an honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex. He has published widely on the sociology of religion and religion and health. Dr. Dein recently published his research into spiritual healers and mental health services in the Bengali community of Tower Hamlets.

Imam Abdul Qayum is the Chief Imam and Khatib of the East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre. He obtained his M.A in Arabic Language from the Muhammad Ibn Saud University, Riyad (K.S.A). He participated in the focus group for the research conducted by Dr Dein and his team.