I am very pleased to join Dalit Solidarity UK as its Director to continue to pursue my drean and vision of a world without caste discrimination.
Today, 10th October is celebrated as the World Mental Health Day since 1992. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health at Workplace’ which becomes very relevant for Dalits who face brutal discrimination in their workplaces especially in South Asian Countries where it is practiced, and Migration of the dominant population to other parts of world where they generally continue to observe caste discrimination in discrete ways. We especially remember those who still work as manual scavengers, farmers who face the brunt of being humiliated, and exploited.
Last year’s theme too, ‘End the stigma and discrimination’ was very apt to describe the identity of Dalits who face these realities every day in their lives. Mental health issues are faced generation after generation and can be traced back to more than 2000 years in human history. This calls us to act in solidarity with Dalits who bear the brunt of discrimination and stigma, losing their mental health at workplaces. At this point we also remember all those who are unemployed and face mental health issues. We once again pledge our solidarity as DSN UK, to work for a world without caste discrimination here in UK, South Asian countries and other parts of the world.
Dr Elizabeth Joy
Director – DSN UK
10th Dec 2024