Mental Health Platform – Living in The Public Eye
Elected representatives and public sector workers, especially those from migrant backgrounds, face significant mental health challenges, exacerbated by social media abuse and hostile political environments. These pressures have led to burnout and even resignations among some public figures.
The Mental Health Platform: Living in The Public Eye is a pioneering initiative focused on addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by elected representatives and public sector workers from migrant backgrounds. It is based on a growing recognition that elected members, candidates, and public sector workers are increasingly subjected to bullying, abuse, harassment and intimidation. There is a pressing need to create safe spaces where individuals stepping into public life can openly discuss their mental health struggles, raise awareness and access vital support networks.
Teo Benea is a first-generation Romanian councillor in Brent with lived experience of these challenges. Following honest and vulnerable conversations with colleagues and others in the sector, it became clear to her that there was a need to take action.
Therefore, Teo, who’s also the CEO & Co-Founder of Social Equity Centre (SEC), in partnership with Lau Ciocan, CEO and Founder of MAN, will spearhead this platform. Lau has over a decade of international experience working in the public sector in multiple policy and public affairs roles. He recently set up MAN, a platform raising awareness of mental health issues via The Mentality Podcast, public speaking and blogging.
They will be supported by Adina Maglan, Executive Director and Co-Founder of SEC. Adina brings extensive experience from working in the public sector both in local authorities and the charity sector. Both Lau and Adina are first-generation migrants to the UK.
Our Proposal
The Mental Health Platform: Living in The Public Eye will feature a podcast series, where elected representatives, civil servants or those working within this sphere from migrant backgrounds share their experiences and strategies for looking after their mental health, as they navigate the intense scrutiny and pressures of public life.
It fits with the Social Equity Centre’s mission to amplify diverse voices in policymaking and MAN’s purpose to support those experiencing mental health challenges of all backgrounds.
The platform will also raise awareness of the challenges faced by those in the sector, promote avenues for reporting hate incidents, and create an informal peer support network. We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their background, should feel safe to undertake roles in public life and work in environments free from hate and abuse.
Throughout this initiative, SEC and MAN aim to:
- Raise Awareness: Highlight the mental health struggles of elected representatives and public sector workers.
- Provide Support: Create a safe space for candid conversations, guide people to available resources and support, and provide the audience with tools to manage their mental health effectively.
- Foster Community: Encourage an informal peer network for current and aspiring elected representatives and public sector workers.
Join Us
The team is currently in the process of securing funding to deliver the project and hopes to start the delivery of the project towards the end of the year. We welcome discussions on this topic. We need to address the challenges faced by those in public office by joining the bigger conversation on the topic:
Intimidation & harassment
Death threats & election abuse
Abuse towards female UK candidates
Toxicity of politics on mental health
Public harassment
Public life abuse
Abuse of public-facing workers
The Mental Health Platform: Living in The Public Eye is not just a project; it is a movement supporting the mental health of those who serve the public, focusing on those from a migrant background.
By setting up a platform for open dialogue, resources, and building a community, we aim to create a healthier and more resilient environment for elected representatives and public sector workers from migrant backgrounds.
Stay tuned for our podcast series and join us at our events to be part of this vital initiative. Together, we can make a difference.
If you would like to find out more about the project and ways in which you can support us email us at: hello@socialequity.org.uk
