For years, mental health in British Asian communities was the conversation that never happened. It lingered under layers of cultural shame. But something is shifting.
Across the UK, British Asians are finally speaking out. From TikTok creators sharing their anxiety journey to community-led therapy circles in Birmingham and Bradford, the silence is breaking, and it’s long overdue.
The stigma runs deep. In many South Asian households, mental illness is still seen as weakness, drama, or something to be prayed away. Depression is misunderstood. Anxiety is dismissed. Therapy? Often taboo. And for young British Asians, this creates a painful disconnect between what they feel and what they’re allowed to express.
According to the Ethnic Inclusion Foundation’s 2021 report, South Asian communities in the UK face disproportionately high rates of psychiatric disorders, yet are less likely to seek help. Cultural pressures, fear of judgment, and lack of culturally sensitive services all play a role.
But the tide is turning.
Grassroots organizations like Taraki, SASS, and Reroute are creating safe spaces for British Asians to talk openly, honestly, and without shame. Podcasts, poetry nights, and online support groups are helping normalize emotional vulnerability. Therapy networks like BAATN ( Black, African & Asian Therapy Network) are connecting people with professionals who understand their cultural context.
And it’s not just about crisis care. It’s about everyday well-being. About learning that it’s okay to rest, to cry, to ask for help. That mental health isn’t a Western Concept, it’s a human one.
For many, healing starts with small acts: Journaling, walking, saying “ I’m not okay” without flinching. It’s about rewriting the narrative from silence to strength.
British Asians are no longer waiting for permission to feel. They’re claiming space, sharing stories, and building a culture where mental health is not hidden but honored.
