British Asian Trust
Millions of people in South Asia are facing a mental health crisis. We urgently need your help to get quality treatment and life-changing support to those who need it the most.
In Pakistan, as many as one in four people are affected by mental health problems, and yet in the whole country there are fewer than 400 psychiatrists. That’s the terrifying reality for the millions of vulnerable people in the country who are experiencing mostly treatable mental health related issues.
Every pound you give to our mental health work in Pakistan will be doubled by the CareTech Foundation and COSARAF, doubling the impact of your donation.
Our Causes
Rohingya Refugee Crisis
In Bangladesh, more than 900,000 Rohingya people are living as refugees, having fled unspeakable violence in Myanmar.
They are still at huge risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation. In the coming rainy season, we urgently need your help to keep refugee women and children safe from harm, and help survivors recover from trauma.
Will you help us cast a light on those living in darkness?
Will you help us change minds this Ramadan?
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About the British Asian Trust
Approach
Mental health is a desperately under-reported and under-resourced crisis in South Asia.
With your support, British Asian Trust can start to transform this tragic situation. We have plans in place to integrate mental health care within poor communities, improve access to clinical services, provide training and broaden understanding of mental health issues. With your help, we can set about changing minds together.
Severe depression, brought on by overwhelming anxiety about a lack of money and her children’s futures, pushed Abida into trying to take her own life. She survived and has now been able to get medication. But Abida keeps her experience a secret, believing that if her family knew they would write her off her as crazy.
Because of stigma, most people in Abida’s position receive no help, may be taken to faith healers and risk rejection from their community.
We’re asking for your help to change minds and end the misery and despair experienced by so many people because of mental health problems.
Our Ambassadors
Meera Syal
Ambassador
“I am pleased to lend my name and my support to The British Asian Trust and its work with the most vulnerable people in South Asia and the UK. Building self-sufficiency in poor communities is a proven and effective way to combat poverty.”
See all our AmbassadorsHRH The Prince of Wales
Founder
HRH The Prince of Wales founded the British Asian Trust in 2007 to do something about the widespread poverty and hardship that he saw in South Asia. He turned to the entrepreneurial spirit of the British Asian diaspora, aiming to link them with innovative social entrepreneurs and grassroots interventions in the region.
See all our AmbassadorsKumar Sangakkara
Ambassador
"I only hope that I can contribute in any way that I can to help the Trust continue its wonderful work with young people in South Asia"
See all our Ambassadors@britishasiantst
Best of luck to our CEO @R_Hawkes who will be swimming 6.5km from Asia to Europe across the Bosphorus Strait for tw… https://t.co/QMruqf4dY2
@R_Hawkes @CRY_UK @Freedom_Fund All good luck @R_Hawkes for tomorrow! We are all right behind you @britishasiantst
We urgently need your help to ensure refugee women and children in #Bangladesh are safe from harm and to help survi… https://t.co/PHpfOSDNIt
Just £30 could provide a person with a mental health issue in #Pakistan with vital clinical mental health support t… https://t.co/ckQhp3arSy
Wonderful to have hosted an evening to celebrate @leah_chowdhry's fantastic achievement of swimming across the… https://t.co/pLjmJrzksM
Great to have visited our partner @Industreefdn to see the fantastic work they are doing to #empower #women in… https://t.co/mEZhBvDkLN
Not long left until our CEO @R_Hawkes takes on the Bosphorus Strait – swimming 6.5km! Read more about the swim and… https://t.co/BoW6HHV9JI
We are thrilled to be collaborating with @JKS_Restaurants group - @GymkhanaLondon @HoppersLondon @TrishnaLondon - o… https://t.co/aOS0B8tt6v
Wishing The Duchess of Cornwall a very Happy Birthday from everyone at the @britishasiantst https://t.co/PK4jtRUslO