Preventing Suicide and Deliberate Self Harm
Laying the Foundations: Identifying Practice Examples
Project Report
11. Nari Kallyan Shangho, Edinburgh
Target Group
Nari Kallyan Shangho was set up in 1987 as a health and welfare project for South Asian women and children living in Edinburgh.
Issues
Some of the difficulties for the women who attend the project are social deprivation, isolation, economic poverty, marital problems, and trying to adapt to living in a foreign country. The project tries to help the women find ways of coping with these issues.
Services/Approach
The project aims to improve the quality of life for South Asian women and children - many of whom experience both social isolation and social deprivation.
The project provides group work. Twelve different groups undertake a variety of activities that are designed to foster the self-growth of the women.
Health education and information is also provided. A booklet 'Dealing with Depression - a Guide for South Asian Women' has recently been produced in three different languages. The booklet explains what depression is, and the kind of help that can be available.
Training on the health needs of South Asian women is also given to other agencies. A Cultural Awareness Training Pack has recently been prepared and training sessions for health service providers have been undertaken in order to raise awareness of South Asian cultures.
The project also enables the development of support networks - a platform for women to come together. The support networks are very important for women who are often very isolated. The idea is that it is a place for people to meet people from the same culture, in order to give and receive mutual support.
One to one support is also provided. The workers look out for the women and are there to talk to. The project also supports the women by providing an advocacy service. Women can be accompanied to GP clinics and hospital appointments.
The project see many cases of women on anti-depressants who are then able to come off medication six months later through having been at NKS.
Women are referred from a number of different agencies, and can also self-refer. The project workers would initially visit the woman being referred - ask her what her needs are, help her decide which groups to go to, and then try and help her along to the groups. The project can help with transport. The workers would help a woman come along 4-5 times - then they would start coming themselves.
Social and economic problems and isolation are the root cause of depression for many of the women. It can be a vicious circle - they have problems, so isolate themselves, so the problems get worse. If they are introduced to the project, the isolation is then broken and they see that they are not alone with their problems. They also get to talk to other women and make friends - see women coping and getting support. The workers can't necessarily solve the woman's problems, but can support her, and offer services such as welfare benefit advice. The project can give them strength to cope with problems and find solutions for themselves.
NKS also runs youth groups for younger women, as well as one-to-one work with a youth worker - someone to confide in about cross-cultural issues, and issues specific to their culture. If they have no-one to talk to, these issues can build up and cause depression.
The project also provides child-care facilities from 9am til 3pm so that women can get out and undertake part-time work or education. This is important to help women develop their confidence and self-esteem.
Key features
For further information, contact:
Naina Minhas, Coordinator
Nari Kallyan Shangho,
Darroch Annnexe
7 Gillespie Street
Edinburgh, EH3 9NH
Tel 0131 221 1915