Black Community Welcomes Black Mental Health Day

By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed     A Community Healing Circle, organized by TAIBU Community Health Centre, at Tropicana Community Services in Scarborough, Ontario

 
The Black community in Toronto has welcomed the city’s first Black Mental Health Day, which was officially declared on March 2, and will be known as such on the first Monday of March in ensuing years.

Led by the City of Toronto and TAIBU Community Health Centre, the aim is to help highlight the impact of anti-Black racism on mental health in the city. 

“Mental health is a serious challenge within the diverse Black communities. It is stigmatizing for many. The impact that anti-Black racism and the direct effects of the various social determinants of health adversely and disproportionately affect us,” says Celestia Richards, president of TAIBU Community Health Centre.

She says the lack of sufficient race-based and disaggregated data hinder them from understanding the extent of the challenge, but at the same time is visible through various studies and reports.

“There are not enough culturally and African-centered mental health services that cater to the unique needs of the Black communities, including Francophone and newcomers.”

TAIBU decided to be a driving force for Black Mental Health Day to “enable us to have ongoing dialogue and discourse around our mental health and wellbeing within the Black communities to address our own stigma.”

Several members of the Black communities in Toronto, and as far away as Ottawa where a similar declaration was done, support the initiative.

“Recognizing Black Mental Health Day is a step in the right direction and an excellent opportunity to begin the conversation within the African Canadian community. Most people are unaware of the profound impact that racism has on Black people’s health and wellbeing,” says Sherldine Tomlinson, a lifestyle medicine educator and registered kinesiologist.

She hopes that the acknowledgement of this health issue opens up meaningful discussions on racism in Canada and its impact on the lives of Black people.

“Canadians have a tendency to ignore racism in Canada because we have been taught that racism is an American problem, so we do not often make the links to how racial inequality, poverty, and other forms of structural violence caused by racism can affect our mental health.”

The purpose of the day is to also engage stakeholders, including faith-based organizations, and build capacity so there is a stronger network and support  system. It also seeks to engage as well as confront the system players – service providers, mental health agencies and others in addressing access issues, as well as cultural appropriateness and safety.

“Toronto's recognition of March 2nd as Black Mental Health Day is an important acknowledgment of the effects racism has on Black mental health. Enormous respect must be given to the organizers and activists who made this happen. I'm skeptical as to whether Toronto will actually reexamine its policies and practices that perpetuate racism against Black people particularly in policing, transit, and housing. Nevertheless, I'm hopeful,” says Jamaal Myers, a community organizer.

TAIBU noted that a very important reason for the declaration is to identify and work with key allies who are able to move the agenda of health equity and anti-Black racism forward.

“It’s needed as I myself have recently struggled. It is a unique predicament as someone who has a Caribbean background may have had a relative struggle but it was never addressed or it was explained away. I pray we as a community can shake away the stigma and fear and begin real dialogue in our homes, churches, mosques, temples and wherever we communicate to address and help many of us who feel alone and are struggling,” says Janet Millington, an event planner.

Studies show witnessing or being the target of anti-Black racism throughout a person’s lifespan can have adverse effects on their mental health and physical wellbeing.

Anti-Black racism takes many forms. Black Torontonians frequently experience undue mistrust and scrutiny as a part of daily life, in workplaces, schools, public spaces, or during interactions with public institutions. 

Common experiences are microaggressions, difficulty in accessing appropriate care and support, and even disbelief from care providers when expressing distress or trauma.

For many Black people, these pressures result in feeling the need to practise extra vigilance to ensure their own safety, which puts extraordinary demands on their capacity for resilience.

These experiences can lead to or add to existing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. 

“Black mental health day is a meaningful addition to Toronto's yearly calendar.  It has been in the making from as far back as Black people moved to this city and with the support of our ancestors who have been advocating for a time a place to reflect on our past and plan for the future, despite the ongoing challenges of anti-Black racism and other forms of oppression.  On Monday, March 2nd, people took the time to pause and reflect on their painful experiences and to validate each other on their resiliency,” says Keith Cunningham, a psychotherapist.

He attended the TAIBU event at Tropicana and said he got to witness “a historical moment of resistance against isms of all sorts but most against anti-Black racism.”

“Participants overly discussed their lived and vicarious experiences. Some of the running themes that were generated from the discussion are: early mental and other health prevention interventions, structural funding to support the work in Black communities, employment opportunities, mental health support in prisons, etc.  In summary, it was a moment of reflection on the past and present, and plans on how to safely address issues relating to Black lives in the future,” he said.

Apart from TAIBU, community resources in the city include the Black Health Alliance, Across Boundaries, Rexdale Community Health Centre, Black Creek Community Health Centre and Women’s Health in Women’s Hands.