A Sikh women’s group were forced to stop selling tickets due to the immense demand for its International Women’s Day event, which tackled the issue of mental illness amongst females.
In the end 125 women sat down for Sikh Women’s Alliance’s meal at the Masala Restaurant in Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park which included speeches.
Pushpinder Chowdhury, a founder of the Asian arts label Tongues on Fire, attended the event on March 23 as a special guest.
Mrs Chowdhury spoke on the rise of mental illness in Asian women, and gave advice on how to stave off isolation and depression.
Councillor Balvinder Saund, chair of the alliance, said: “I think it was one of better International Women’s Day - we had to stop selling ticket in the end.
“The ladies love the food so much that we keep having to go back to the restaurant.”
Cllr Saund said she was grateful for Mrs Chowdhury’s talk, because it means the Asian community will hopefully start to talk about mental illness.
“It is like everything else, some subjects are taboo until someone starts to talk about it,” she added.
“People are often shy talking about a family member who may be mentally ill because they think it brings shame on the family.”
Cllr Saund believes some families will wait too long as a result before they seek medical help.
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