Roma Support Group

Since 1998 the Roma Support Group has worked with thousands of Roma families, offering them a variety of services, engaging the Roma community in all aspects of running and managing the organisation and promoting an understanding of Roma culture in the UK.

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Our work in suicide prevention

The mental health advocacy team provides one-to-one support to clients in understanding mental health issues, identifying appropriate mental health services and explaining health needs to professionals. We additionally run monthly peer support group meetings in which project beneficiaries can come together and discuss issues and coping strategies in an open and supportive environment. To further facilitate our clients’ understanding of mental health, we have created leaflets for service users that explain common mental health issues and outline strategies for seeking out support.

To facilitate better communication between health professionals and Roma service users, we have produced an informational leaflet for health service staff. This leaflet outlines key cultural beliefs and health taboos, common barriers to health services and practical tips for working with Roma patients.

We also offer training sessions for health professionals, which are aimed at increasing awareness of Roma culture and providing effective communication and engagement techniques.

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Our current priorities

Our current priorities are continuing working in partnership with NHS service, Newham Talking Therapies to deliver workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing in East London and working with Waterloo Community Counselling, supporting Roma community members to access counselling in community languages.

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Our current challenges

One of the main challenges we’re facing are the long waiting lists for NHS services and lack of language support, as well as often inadequate language support.

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