Strengthening Our Roots

Building Mental Health Support Together in the UK Somali Community

Why This Matters

We know our community carries strength, resilience, and deep faith — but we also know many of our people carry invisible wounds that go unspoken and unhealed.

Too many in our community live with untreated trauma, often passed down through generations, from the experience of displacement, conflict, or loss, to the everyday stress. 

Across the UK, stigma around mental health still leaves many of us suffering in silence. Too often, we hear: “We must be strong,” or “This is not talked about in our culture,” or “What will people think if I seek help?”

And when we do try to get support, cultural misunderstandings and language barriers in mainstream services make it harder to get the help that actually understands who we are.

National research shows that Black and minority ethnic communities — including Somali communities — are more likely to reach crisis point before accessing care and are less likely to be diagnosed early or offered culturally informed support.
We see this reality in our families, in our youth, and in our elders.

At the same time, Somali psychologists, GPs, therapists, youth workers, advocates, and researchers across the UK are trying to do something about this — but they’re often working alone.

We don’t need more isolation.
We need connection. 
That’s why the Somali Mental Health Network exists — to bring us together.

Our Vision — What We’re Building Together

We believe in a future where:

• Somali families can access support early — before struggles become crises
• Those who serve our community feel supported, connected, and represented
• Our lived experience shapes the services we receive
• Trauma is treated before it becomes destructive
• Our children grow up safe — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually
   

This is not distant hope. This is a future we can build — together.

What We Do — Real Work for Real People

With community at the centre, SMHN brings people together in ways that matter.

Community & Networking

We create spaces where you don’t have to do this alone.
Whether in national gatherings, regional meet-ups, peer support circles, or online resource spaces — we come together to connect, learn, and grow.

Training & Consultancy

We work with service providers — including NHS teams — to help them understand us, not just treat symptoms.
We deliver training, community-informed workshops, and co-designed prevention programmes that respect culture, language, and experience.

Advocacy

We make sure Somali voices are heard where policies are made.
We tackle barriers in systems, build psychoeducation campaigns you can trust, and create materials that are accessible in Somali and in English.

Everything we do is rooted in our stories, our needs, and our culture.

Why We’re Fundraising — Right Now

We have already:

1. Planted the seeds by starting conversations
2. Connected professionals who were previously isolated
3. Seen clear demand from families, youth, and elders
4. Initiated NHS's conversations and collaborations.

Now we need roots — real, strong, lasting foundations so this work can grow for years to come.

With your support, we can:

• Bring people together with safe, community-centred events
• Build a strong digital home (website + resources)
• Establish administrative and safeguarding structures
• Produce campaigns, toolkits, and videos that speak to our people
• Support volunteers and community leaders across the UK
• Run workshops and preventative mental health initiatives
   

We are not building a one-off event.
We’re building sustainability.

This Is Generational Work!!

When you give, you aren’t just donating — you are investing in longevity, dignity, and wellbeing for our people.

Help us help our community.
Strengthen our roots this Ramadan.

Together, we can build something that lasts.