Mental Health Program

Historically, the Black community has been marginalized when it comes to their mental health, given their collective lived experience of trauma through slavery, oppression, colonisation and racism. It is a fact that Black Canadians have higher unemployment rates and lower average incomes, which may impact their ability to access mental health services. Among Black Caribbean populations, wait times for mental health care averaged 16 months, more than twice those for Whites (Statscan150, 2020). Black youth have a higher prevalence of mental illness which is often found in low-income areas, these communities often have fewer mental health programs and services.

Focus: Black Youth 15-29 years
Duration:
Registration: Required
Next session starts: TBD

Description:

The Mental Health program aims to educate, raise awareness and create a healing space for youth. The program offers mental health toughness training that educates youth about self-esteem, self confidence and resilience. Further, the mental health program offers resources, support, and training for families and communities who care for youth’s mental health. The provision of one-to-one counselling is also available for youth who need it.

Youths obtain support to enhance their mental health and emotional well-being and will focus on:

  • The relationship between mental & physical health
  • Understand the effects of intergenerational trauma.
  • Concepts related to mental health and well-being.
  • Tools & strategies to maintain emotional well-being.
  • How to cultivate mental toughness
  • How to access culturally responsive supports
Goals & Objectives

The goal of the program is to enable youth to understand the importance of mental health and well being. As well, for youth to develop their own toolbox to support positive emotional and mental well being. Studies have shown that providing education and healing spaces for racialized youth that are culturally responsive improve mental health outcomes.

The main objectives include:

  • To provide the tools for Black youth to utilize to maintain or improve their mental health & emotional well being.
  • To ensure that Black youth are aware of an have access to culturally responsive mental health supports
  • To increase understanding between physical health and mental health

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