Helping People Thrive, Not Just Survive – Helen Kamya, Wellbeing Mentor

Black mental health matters, but discussion of these issues is already largely taboo in the community.

Wellbeing expert Helen Kamya believes we must urgently address Black mental health needs as well as provide resources and practices for navigating what has been a hugely triggering time since Covid-19.

Helen spoke to pan-African about the state of mental health within African, Caribbean, Black and Minority communities, and how she continues to help clients not just survive, but thrive.

How long have you been working in the wellbeing field, and what kind of clients have sought your help in this time?

I have worked in the sports and wellness industry for almost 10 years and have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it.  Clients sought me out for their physical and mental well-being needs, and my goal has always been to help improve not only their physical health, but their mental and emotional wellbeing and overall wellness.

I meet my clients where they are, and my goal is to journey alongside them so they can achieve lasting results.

What insights can you share with us from your research into the state of mental health within Black and minority communities?

The issues that seemed to plague many of the participants in my research were the need and pressure to overachieve due to the colour of their skin, cultural background, their accents, feeling ‘othered,’ financial constraints, and a cultural stigma which manifests as a lack of community. And as a fellow African, I fully appreciate these challenges having witnessed and experienced them first-hand.

The three overarching themes that I gathered were those relating to cultural stigma, survival mode, and religiosity. Regarding cultural stigma, the idea or belief appears to be that if it is not a physical element, it is not real and therefore a person should be strong and ‘get on with it.’ Rest is generally viewed as laziness.

Regarding the issue of survival mode, the view has been that individuals have to hustle as ‘nothing good comes easy,’ and they must consider the impact on dependents who look to them for sustenance.

Lastly, the complexity of religiosity weighs heavy on the mindset of the community, with a widely held view that struggling with mental wellbeing is regarded as a spiritual failure.

When it comes to how well we look after our mental wellbeing, the consensus included all of the above as well as an overriding view that there are far worse things to worry about.  As a result, the majority felt they were not well-informed, and their understanding of mental health was mainly based on deep-seated misconceptions.

Did your research look into the issue of accessibility of mental health resources?

Yes!  My next quest was to find out how accessible mental wellbeing services were in our communities, and whether people would seek the support if they needed it. Two schools of thought were presented here: those who felt that the support within the communities was limited, and methods of treating mental health problems did not lead to desired outcomes, especially when it came to addressing the root causes.

In some cases, the process of sectioning under the Mental Health Act or Ministry of Justice involvement appeared to present the first real opportunity to access mental health support services. Some felt that the help was there, however, their experience of feeling ‘othered’ kept many from seeking help. And the help in some cases was cost-prohibitive, making it inaccessible to those who could potentially benefit from receiving the support they need.

Much more needs to be done, and as I have discovered, the answer to alleviating this is more complicated than any straightforward solution. However, I think the more we start to address it by acknowledging how important our mental well-being is, taking small but active steps in seeking the right solutions and support, and openly discussing different ways in which we as the community want to be supported, the more likely it is that we will see positive change.

I would love to invite as many of you in the community to join the conversation, allowing your voice to be heard so together we can find solutions to better look after our wellbeing.

And how do you define wellbeing?

My definition of wellbeing is looking after our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing, ensuring every part is proportionately cared for, whilst developing good self-care habits.

You run a successful six-week online wellbeing course. Can you tell us about what clients can expect when they sign up for the course?

You can expect to have a personalised and unique experience as I equip you with the tools necessary to combat anxiety and manage depression, for example.  My approach is a holistic one to wellness, and I believe every part of my client’s being is important.

What kind of results have you seen with your clients?

Due to my unique approach to wellness, the most significant result is that clients come to realise that their spiritual, emotional and mental health is as important as their physical health. In short, my approach gives them lasting results.

What would you say are the keys to your success?

I choose to see the whole human being from the inside out, not just from the outside in.  I help my clients understand it’s not so much what’s on the outside ‘how we physically look,’ as opposed to what’s going on inside us.  Working alongside each client enables them to process internal issues, find ways to manage or resolve them, the result of which is to bring them true lasting inner and outer health.

Positive change in health comes from self-love and not self-loathing, and loving yourself is the surest motivator to start and maintain one’s wellness journey. I believe getting stronger in your physical wellbeing leads to more resourcefulness in other areas of your life, and the skills my clients achieve as a result of their wellness journey can be applied to other areas in their lives.

I equip people with tools to replicate in their daily lives as opposed to just enabling them, avoiding dependency which means that they are confident in their ability to implement what I have taught them on their own. My clients feel heard and not judged, and I believe regardless of anyone’s background we all have unique pain and challenges. Feeling safe to share and be one’s true self is the hardest but the surest path to proper overall wellness.

My clients are also able to get in touch with their inner power and potential. Developing good habits of self-care is also vital – it nourishes our ability to care for others and helps each client to find ways to care for themselves that are optimal for them. The better they are at caring for themselves, the better they can be of service to others.

Meeting people where they are is important, because it is only by finding gratitude in what we already have that we can move forward.

What first step would you encourage somebody struggling with their mental or physical health to take to improve their situation?

I would advise anybody struggling to talk to someone and get the right help, and to reach out for the support you need.

What kind of impact would you like to create through your mentoring?

I would like to empower people who then empower others as they continue to develop good habits of self-care and applying all the principles they have learnt to other areas in their lives.

What inspires you to make a difference?

I believe everyone should live to their fullest potential! We cannot experience life in its fullest form if we don’t look after our wellbeing first.

What plans does HK Wellbeing Mentor have for the rest of 2021?

The plans are to highlight the importance of looking after our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.  Supporting people on their journey will allow them to experience the freedom that comes with it.

What do you love most about being African?

I am proud to be African because of our resilience, creativity, resourcefulness, joy, and our fighting spirit.

Start your wellness journey with Helen. You can get in touch with her via the following channels:

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