It’s Black Mental Health Week, a time to amplify Black voices and bring awareness to the mental health of Black Canadians.
Black Mental Health Week (BMHW) is an important annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by Black communities in Canada. What once began as Black Mental Health Day in 2020, first recognized by the City of Toronto and TAIBU Community Health Care, soon expanded to a full week to spotlight the mental impacts of anti-Black racism on Black communities, families and individuals on a greater scale.
This year, the week’s powerful theme is “Joy as Resistance,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the unique mental health needs of Black Canadians and to celebrate the transformative power of joy, strength, and cultural pride in overcoming adversity.
“By centering joy, BMHW recognizes the inherent resilience within Black communities and the role of mental health in creating spaces for restoration, creativity, and future-focused empowerment,” the city said online.
To commemorate the week, the city is featuring a Black youth art exhibit inside the City Hall Rotunda until Mar. 6., which showcases creativity as a reflection of experiences with mental health, resilience and identity.
CAMH INTRODUCES NEW PROGRAM FOR BLACK YOUTH
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is also spearheading initiatives in the city, with its introduction of the program, AMANI: Mental Health & Substance Use Services for Black Youth. A name that means “peace” in Swahili and “wishes” in Arabic, CAMH says the AMANI program reflects a “renewed commitment to supporting young people’s mental health with a focus on Africentric values.”
The program has received almost $4.4 million in funding from Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund, which will support AMANI in establishing community-based services to improve patient transitions, reduce readmissions, and enhance recovery outcomes.
CAMH Senior Director of Black Health Strategy Kevin Haynes expresses a sense of excitement and optimism, with hopes that AMANI is the first step in paving the way for lasting change on a national scale.
“I am thrilled that the government is investing in AMANI to address systemic inequities and improve equitable, timely access to culturally-responsive mental health and substance use care for Black youth,” Haynes said in a statement.
“Our expectation is that this program will set a national example for advancing culturally responsive integrated youth services for Black youth across Canada”.
WHY IS BLACK MENTAL HEALTH WEEK IMPORTANT?
According to CAMH, Black youth in Ontario face significant barriers to accessing mental health care compared to the general population.
But aside from physical barriers, experts say there are emotional ones too.
GTA-based Clinical Director and Registered Psychotherapist of ReNu Counselling & Psychotherapy Dr. Renee Raymond says stigma, family dynamics, and overall self-esteem are all factors at play, which only further highlight the importance of this week.
“It gives an opportunity to highlight the needs within the community and the importance of mental wellness,” Raymond explained to Now Toronto on Wednesday.
“Mental wellness underscores our physical wellness, how we show up in relationships, how we show up for ourselves. So, I think the week really just allows us to pause and ask ourselves some questions like ‘how much are we taking care of our own mental health and mental needs?’”
Raymond said these stigmas often stem from cultural experiences within the Black community, where mental health is often viewed negatively and often not openly discussed.
“I think a lot of times culturally, it’s instilled for us to push forward, which has been a source of resilience for a lot of our parents and their parents… I think for a lot of people, it could feel like a sign of weakness to acknowledge those emotions and things that are coming up,” Raymond said.
Non-profit, Canadian organization Revive CEO and mental health specialist Aretha McCarthy shared similar sentiments.
“When it comes to the Black community, mental health is not something that we talked about, right? I remember one time, I went and I spoke to a family member, and they were like, ‘OK, don’t tell anyone about this, because you’re going to be judged,’” she said to Now Toronto.
“That’s the common thing within the Black communities. You’re feeling afraid to speak up about this stuff because of the stigma that it’s going to carry within your family dynamic, the friend group and the community, and what they’re going to think about you.”
TACKLING THE STIGMA
So, how do you reduce that stigma within the community? McCarthy says education and community support are key factors.
“A lot of us are not educated on the difference between mental health and mental disability… especially within the Black community, we just hear ‘mental health’ and it’s like all in one… we have to be able to educate ourselves and also educate our community,” she explained.
“We also have to work as a community. There’s a lack of that within our community, and the support is not there when it comes to stuff like this… if I feel like I’m going through something and I can’t go to my peers and talk to them about this or ask for them to even help me find those resources and support, then we’re not going anywhere.”
To those fearful of reaching out and seeking support, McCarthy simply says “don’t be.”
“I believe one of the best things I’ve ever done was to bypass the stigma of my own community and even within myself telling me that it’s wrong,” she said.
“There are people out there that want to help you… So, please do not stay silent. Speak up, use your voice, and if you can’t, use your own voice to tell somebody that you know will use their voice for you.”
Raymond also emphasized the power of speaking up when in mental distress, and stressed that it doesn’t have to only be to a professional.
“Speak to someone. It doesn’t always have to be a therapist. It could be some other elder or someone that’s respected in your circle… build your own social support.”