Help and support for Roma people facing stress and worry 

• You can ask for help in your own language.
• NHS services are free.
• Everything you tell medical professionals is usually kept private.
• Getting help will not affect your immigration status.

Please read on for more information. 

Everyone can find it hard to cope with how they are feeling at times. This is a normal part of life. But sometimes, we need a bit of help.

Asking for help does not mean you are weak or mad. It also does not mean that you will be locked up just because you asked for help. 

Getting support early can stop problems from getting worse. It can help make things feel better and make life feel easier. 

You may not trust services because of your past experiences. That is understandable but services are there to help. 

There are things that can be done to help you feel more heard. We talk about these things below. 

You might have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from services. This can make it difficult to trust health professionals.

If you talk about how you feel, you might worry about what others will think. But problems with stress and worry are common. Asking for help is a good thing to do.

You deserve to be treated with respect.

If you are not being listened to, you can:

• ask to speak to another member of staff,
• take someone you trust with you, or 
• ask for an advocate, see Further reading help the end this information.

NHS services must treat you fairly and must not discriminate against you because of your ethnicity.

You might have been treated badly because of being Roma. For free, expert, advice you can contact: 

Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)

Phone: 0808 800 0082  

Website: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

If you need urgent help for how you are feeling you can: 

• Call the NHS on 111 or visit their mental health webpage  
• Call 999 or go to A&E at hospital, if you cannot keep yourself or others safe
• See our Get help now hub

A GP is a type of doctor. You can talk to them about health issues and things like stress, worry, low mood, or sleep problems.  

They can:

• listen to you about how you feel,
• help you understand what is wrong,
• suggest ways to help you feel better,
• refer you to another service that can help, and
  offer treatment. 

Seeing a GP is free for everyone in England, no matter of your background or immigration status.

How can I see a GP?

If you have internet access you can find a GP on the NHS website. 

Can I choose the GP that I see?

You can ask to see any GP who works at the service. 

You might ask for a GP that is a similar age or the same gender as you.  They should do this for you if they can. 

But it may take longer to get an appointment. 

Also, you can: 

• Call the NHS on 111, or 
• Go to your nearest GP surgery and ask for help. 

The people at the GP surgery can help you fill any forms. 

You do not need proof of address or ID to get help.

Can I take someone with me to the GP?

You can take someone like family or a friend to your GP appointment.

You can also ask your GP if a practice health champion can be with you at the appointment. They are friendly volunteers who help patients.

You might be able to take an advocate. They can help you speak up and make sure your voice is heard.

On our webpage, you can find out more about Advocacy for mental health - Making your voice heard.

Your GP will usually keep your information private. This means others will not know you have asked for help, unless you want them to. 

Your GP may need to share your information without your say so. This includes: 

• if they need to protect you or someone else from serious harm,
• if they need to share it with other health or social care staff involved in your care, or
• if a law or a court says they must.

If your GP needs to do this, where possible they should talk to you first. 

You have a right to be given information in a way you will understand it.

English might not be your first language. You can ask your GP or NHS 111 for help in your language.

NHS services should give you a translator. A translator helps people who speak different languages understand each other. They change words from one language into another.

You do not need to use family or friends as a translator, unless you want to. 

The translator is a free service. You should be given extra time for your appointment. 

Is there a Romani language version of this information?

We will soon publish a Romani language version of this information on this website. 

You can ask for an interpreter in your language when you speak to a GP or NHS service. This is free. See What if I do not speak English? below for more information.

Speak to the GP surgery or NHS service first. Talk about the issue to try to sort it out.

You can also contact PALS - Patient Advice and Liaison Service - by:

• asking your GP surgery,
• calling NHS 111, or
• visiting the NHS PALS webpage. 

PALS is a service that helps with NHS questions, concerns, and problems.

You can make a formal complaint if the problem is not resolved. 

An NHS complaints advocate can help you make a complaint. To find your local advocacy service you can search for the following on the internet:

“[area where you live] NHS complaints advocacy]

Sometimes life feels hard, and talking about things can help. Sharing worries with someone can make things feel a bit better. 

You can talk to a friend or family member. If you do not want to do that, you can call a support line.

You do not have to give your name. What you say is private. They will only tell someone if you or another person is in danger.

You can call: 

• Roma Support Group. call 07563 753412 or go to www.romasupportgroup.org.uk.
• One call away. Support for Roma community and travellers. Phone or text 07393561735 or 07748997617 or go to www.ataloss.org/more-info/bereavement-services/one-call-away.
• Samaritans. Call 116 123 or go to www.samaritans.org .

If you have challenges with everyday tasks, you might be able to get help from social services. 

They will ask you what help you need. Then they can arrange support for you, such as a carer. But only if you qualify for support. 

You may feel unsure about contacting social services because of past experiences. However, social services are there to support people, not to get them into trouble.

You can contact social services by phone. You can find their number by:

• looking on your local councils website,
• visiting your local council’s office,
  asking at a GP surgery, or
• asking at a library.

If you move to a new area, social services should help you get care in your new place. 

You can still get social care support if you are a migrant or an asylum seeker.

What support can I get for my housing?

If you are having problems with your housing, you can contact: 

• Shelter. Call 0808 800 4444 or go to https://england.shelter.org.uk.   
• Citizens Advice. Call 0800 144 8848 or go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk. 
• The housing department at your local council. You can find your local council online here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

Can I get help with money problems? 

Anybody can fall into money problems. These free services can help you:

• Citizens Advice. Call 0800 144 8848 or go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
• Money wellness. Call on 0161 518 8285 or go to www.moneywellness.com.
• Stepchange for debt advice. Call 0800 138 1111 or go to www.stepchange.org

Other help

• Rethink Mental Illness. Call 0808 801 0525 or go to www.rethink.org.
• Roma Support Group. Call 07366503575 (Romanian) or 07903883748 (Polish) or go to www.romasupportgroup.org.uk.
• Friends, Families, and Travellers. Call 01273 234777 or go to www.gypsy-traveller.org   
• The Traveller Movement. Call 020 7607 2002 or go to https://travellermovement.org.uk.

Further reading

You can find more information about the following things see:

• How can your GP help with your mental health? Getting appointments, treatment, and support.
  
• NHS treatment – Your rights .
  
• Confidentiality and your mental health information.
  
• How do I complain about my NHS care or treatment? A quick step-by-step guide.
  
• Social care assessment – Under the Care Act 2014 
  
• Drugs, alcohol, and mental health.
  
• Advocacy for mental health - Making your voice heard.
  
• Housing and mental Illness - Your options and support.