
Episode #5
S3 Ep05 - The Silent Crisis: Honour-Based Abuse and Suicide Prevention
In this episode of Let's Talk Hope, Pooja engages in a profound conversation with Afrah Qassim from Savera UK, focusing on the stigma surrounding suicide and the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. They discuss the journey of Savera UK, the impact of honor-based abuse on mental health, and the importance of recognizing warning signs of distress. The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement, cultural sensitivity and the challenges within mental health services. Through stories of resilience and hope, they highlight the transformative power of support and understanding in overcoming adversity. Key Takeaways Every life matters, and we must break the silence around suicide. Savera UK was founded to address the needs of vulnerable communities. Honor-based abuse significantly impacts mental health and suicide risk. Cultural stigma and language barriers hinder access to mental health services. Many individuals fear family separation when seeking help for abuse. Warning signs of distress can be subtle and easily overlooked. Community leaders play a crucial role in creating safe spaces for dialogue. Mental health services often lack understanding of honor-based abuse. Resilience and hope are vital in the recovery journey of survivors. Education is key to recognizing and challenging harmful cultural practices. Soundbites "Every life matters." "They fear that their family will be separated." "There's a lot of signs to recognize." "We shouldn't be seen as cultural issues." "It's not just about economic or poverty issues." "What makes me sing is the people that we see." Chapters 00:00 Breaking the Silence on Suicide and Stigma 01:01 The Journey of Savera UK 07:03 Understanding Honor-Based Abuse and Mental Health 10:51 Recognizing Warning Signs of Distress 15:07 Community Engagement and Cultural Sensitivity 20:16 Challenging Assumptions in Mental Health Services 25:55 Stories of Resilience and Hope More Information / Help & Support For more information about the individuals and organisations featured in this episode, or if you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, the following organisations can provide help and support: BBC Action Line: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ Papyrus: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ Shout: https://giveusashout.org/ Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/ James’ Place: https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/ Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk/ Alfie’s Squad: https://alfiessquad.org/ Amparo: https://amparo.org.uk/ WAY Widowed & Young: https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/ The Martin Gallier Project: https://www.themartingallierproject.org Credits Series conceived & hosted by Prof Pooja Saini at Liverpool John Moores University Produced and distributed by Innobella Media Sound Recording & Post-Production: Paul Freeman-Powell Music Composed & Produced by Tom Anderson

