Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Black legacy and leadership in mental health and addictions

Feb 1, 2025

This Black History Month, we honour the theme Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations by recognizing the incredible contributions of Black leaders who have reshaped the mental health and addictions space in Canada. These trailblazers have challenged systemic barriers, fought stigma, and provided transformative care to their communities, leaving a legacy of resilience and hope.

Reflecting on Black mental health and addictions in Canada

Black Canadians continue to face unique challenges when it comes to mental health and addictions. Systemic racism, underrepresentation in healthcare, and a lack of culturally responsive services create barriers to access and support. Black youth are overrepresented in child welfare and correctional systems, which increases their vulnerability to mental health challenges. Despite these hurdles, Black leaders and organizations have driven critical change, bridging gaps and providing essential care.

For a snapshot of mental health among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities in Ottawa, review the Ottawa Public Health report, Mental Health of Ottawa’s Black Community.

Several organizations across Canada are doing pioneering work in mental health, including many right here in the Nation’s Capital. Here are just some of them:

• The African, Caribbean and Black Wellness and Resource Centre (ACB) – The African, Caribbean and Black Wellness and Resource Centre (ACB) is an organization committed to educating, enriching, and empowering residents of the Ottawa/Gatineau area. At CMHA Ottawa, we’re proud to have partnered with the ACB Wellness and Resource Centre on our collaborative Growth Spurts at Recovery College program for Black and racialized youth.

• Britannia Woods Community House – BWCH is a community-based agency that focuses on providing responsive programs and services for children, youth and families who live in fixed and low-income communities, through an equitable and strength-based lens.

• Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition: A Network of Black Leaders – OBMHC’s goal is to achieve a more equitable mental health system by improving access to culturally competent mental health support and resources, offering healthier outcomes to Black residents in Ottawa.
  • Save the date: March 2–9, 2025, Ottawa Black Mental Health Week
  • Learn about OBMHC’s leadership team, including its co-chair Papa Ladjiké Diouf, and former CMHA Ottawa Board member and Britannia Woods Community House and Mental Health Manager and Clinical Supervisor, Shannon Black.

• Somali Centre for Family Services – The SCFS’s mission is to assist newcomers, multi-ethnic communities and vulnerable populations in need, through services and programs that are equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive.

• Somerset West Community Health Centre – SWCHC is well known for its excellent Community Health Centre (CHC) model and its professional health services team, but it has also become a leader in offering a wide range of community-building activities and advocacy programs. Its offerings include ACB HIV Prevention, Black Community Supports Phone Line, Black Mental Health Program, Counselling Services for the Black Community, Practical Assistance and Social Service Supports, and more.

• Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support: The Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) – SAPACCY provides culturally safe and affirming anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and trauma-informed mental health and substance use services to Black youth ages 12-29 and their families.
  
  “Our team, composed of clinicians with lived experience, has the ability to provide culturally safe and relevant mental health and substance use support to Black youth who have been underserved and marginalized by our health system as a whole.” —Bo Turpin, Executive Director, Upstream Ottawa

• Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Laboratory – Directed by Dr. Jude Mary Cénat, the V-TRaC Lab at uOttawa studies the impact of vulnerability and trauma in relation to coping and resilience strategies. Its research aims to integrate clinical, developmental, individual, community, family, social and cultural factors in order to develop culturally appropriate assessment, prevention and intervention tools that meet the real needs of individuals and communities. The V-TRaC lab has three main research axes:
  • Vulnerability and trauma
  • Racial disparities in health and social services
  • Global mental health

Others organizations (not in Ottawa):

• Black Health Alliance
• The Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health
• The Black Mental Health Alliance of Canada – The BMHAC has been a driving force in advocating for culturally specific mental health services for Black communities. BMHAC provides workshops, community outreach programs, and research initiatives that address the unique needs of Black Canadians.

Here’s how you can support Black mental health and addictions:

💡 Educate yourself: Learn about the unique challenges Black Canadians face and how systemic racism affects mental health and addiction services.

🤝 Support Black-led organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups like the Black Mental Health Alliance of Canada or other local initiatives.

📣 Advocate for change: Call for systemic reforms to address disparities in healthcare and social services.

🛍️ Invest in Black-owned businesses: Strengthen the economic well-being of Black communities by shopping Black-owned.

👂🏾 Listen and amplify voices: Create safe spaces for Black individuals to share their experiences and needs. We want to honour and recognize the great diversity that exists within Black communities.

This Black History Month, we not only celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black leaders but also recommit ourselves to addressing the inequities that persist in mental health and addiction care. By uplifting Black voices and taking actionable steps, we can honour the legacy of those who have come before us while building a more equitable future for all.

Let’s continue to celebrate, reflect, and advocate together. Support your Black friends, family and communities outside of this month. 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Local resources – just some of the resources available to ACB individuals and communities in Ottawa

The African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) Mental Health and Substance Use Resource List was compiled by the Somerset West Community Health Centre and Ottawa Public Health in consultation with agencies and organization providing free services to ACB communities in Ottawa.

The Black Community Supports Phone Line – The Black Community Supports Phone Line is provided by the Somerset West Community Health Centre but does not just serve the Somerset West area, it is available to all Ottawa residents. It is available Monday to Friday, 9–4 p.m., to provide practical and emotional support, service navigation, advocacy, health coaching, and referrals.

Black Racialized Individuals Support Channel: BRISC is provided by Britannia Woods Community House It provides support via telephone for racialized individuals in Ottawa, especially ACB individuals in the Ottawa-West area, that are dealing with emotional issues rooted in isolation, discrimination, racism, or everyday stressors. It provides practical support and referrals in English, French, Somali, Arabic, Swahili and Lingala. It does not just serve the Britannia area; its services are available for the entire Ottawa area. 

Counselling Connect: Are you looking for counselling support from an ACB counsellor? We are here to hold space for your story. You’re just a click away from a free counselling appointment. You choose a convenient date and time. There is no waiting list. www.counsellingconnect.org

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch (CMHA Ottawa), is an independent, community-based non-profit organization that provides services for eligible individuals in the Ottawa area with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder, many of whom are experiencing chronic homelessness or are vulnerably housed. CMHA Ottawa is dedicated to promoting good mental health, developing and implementing sustainable support systems and services, and encouraging public action to strengthen community mental health services and related policies and legislation.