By Stephanie Miskin
BBC News, West Midlands
Published 5th May 2021
Mental health support is a key service provided by councils in England - and in the West Midlands, spending varies
widely. But for some, accessing help is harder than ever, with cultural taboos and language barriers stopping many people getting what they need.
Two mental health organisations set up to help young people from non-white communities say many are falling through the cracks.
Ash Ali, director of Al aafiya, which was set up to challenge the stigma of mental health in South Asian communities, said: "[Mental] health services are being delivered, but they're not meeting the hard-to-reach communities that they need to reach."
Meanwhile, online therapy service Heal Hub, which supports 16-25 year olds, said it was providing stop-gap therapy while some people wait more than 16 weeks for an appointment.
Al Aafiya Mental Health Services was founded by a group of friends who work in the medical profession. They have seen demand soar in the past year due a "need for mental health support within the diverse communities" in the wake of Covid.
Al aafiya Mental Health Services was founded by a group of friends who work in the medical profession. They have seen demand soar in the past year due a "need for mental health support within the diverse communities" in the wake of Covid.
As voters go to polling stations on Thursday, how much councils spend on adult social care will be an important issue for many.