Statement from Centre for Mental Health and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition.
We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic death of Professor Jason Arday. Our thoughts are especially with Professor Arday’s family and friends at this time.
His death after weeks of racist and ableist public scrutiny and shaming is a tragedy. What we witnessed over the past couple of weeks has been part of years of his career, intellect and position being questioned and undermined in a way no other academic’s has. It was clear that some believed that Jason Arday did not deserve to be a Cambridge Professor due to being Black and disabled. He was expected to justify his position in the court of public opinion in a way white, neurotypical academics are simply not. Other prominent Black academics, such as Dr Kehinde Andrews, have described what Professor Arday experienced as a “public lynching” and “feeding frenzy”.
There will be many Black people who are upset and angry at the moment. Such a campaign against a public Black figure, which sadly is not the first, may cause people to question whether roles in public life are for them, and put their mental health at risk. If this dissuades Black people from taking part in public life or academia, we will be denied their talents, skills and expertise.
Racism is deeply entrenched in our society and causes trauma and harm to people, families and communities. This is a painful reminder of why rooting out racism from our institutions and services is urgent and essential, and of the importance of widening access to trauma-informed support for people from racialised communities.
If you have been affected by this news and need to speak to someone, these organisations are available to reach out to for mental health support:
The Empowerment Group – an award-winning registered charity that supports people of Black African and Caribbean heritage aged 14 and over in the UK facing mental health challenges. This is achieved through free online 1:1 culturally appropriate therapy.
African and Caribbean Mental Health Services – a community-based organisation providing free and confidential culturally appropriate services predominantly to African and African Caribbean communities as well as other minority groups
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network – Home of the largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK
Black Mind – A grassroots art-as-activism organisation that centres the collective mental health, wellbeing, justice and joy of Black people in Britain.
BAYO – From the Yoruba word meaning ‘Joy has found us’ it is a space to find collectives, organisations and services from across the UK, for the Black community, to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Black Minds Matter UK – A charity that connects Black people with Black therapists. Their therapy service is currently closed for applications but you can find resources on mental health on their website.
General helplines and crisis contacts – You can find a full list of other sources of advice and support here.
