Mann ka Radio…(Thoughtful Radio)

Mann ka Radio…     Sarinder Bhandal, a community mental health worker at GVOC, has been hosting a 2 hour weekly radio show at Spice FM in Newcastle for the last 10 weeks. Focusing in on mental health and Wellbeing issues in Ethnic Minority communities living in Tyne and Wear, she has been introducing and leading discussions with listeners on this otherwise very sensitive and stigmatised topic.   Sarinder said, “The show is called Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum which means, “Sometimes you are happy sometimes you are sad” because that was the main message we were trying to get across to our minority community listeners; that mental health is dynamic and changes with the daily challenges of everyday life; that worry and stress will never go away so we need to learn how to cope with it, live with it and come out smiling.”  

Listeners were able to participate by ringing the studio to give their views and opinions as well as by communicating their thoughts through text and e-mail.   Infact each show was receiving half a dozen calls and numerous messages which, relatively speaking, is quite a good show of interest by listeners. The show went out to around 300 local listeners. The series gave listeners the chance to debate issues they otherwise rarely had an opportunity to discuss due to the stigma surrounding it.   

Asked whether there were plans to continue the success of their first series, Sarinder remarked, “Each show takes a lot of organising so we need help if we were to do another run. We are currently looking for volunteers to help us prepare and run the show, so we’re looking for anyone with an interest in Radio or media and able to spare a few hours a week. We’re not looking for anyone with any particular skill or from any particular community; the offer is open to everyone who wishes to help.”  

Sarinder works for the aTENSION project, a Gateshead based diverse communities’ mental health Care and Wellbeing project which has been running for 4 years and has now secured sufficient funds from the PCT for a further 2 years.   

To contact Sarinder Bhandal or the aTENSION team please call on 0191 4784103.