Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black Canadians Initiative - Funded projects

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Incubator Stream

Cultural Beliefs and Mental Health

Lead/Recipient: Regroupement des intervenant(e)s d'origine haïtienne
Location: Montreal, QC
Start date: August 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: This project seeks to better understand and address the barriers faced by Black communities in Montreal North in accessing mental health services. This initiative aims to promote positive mental health and raise awareness around mental health challenges to reduce stigma related to the use of and access to mental health services. The project, which focuses on youth and their families, brings together experts to form an advisory committee, establish partnerships with community organizations and develop support groups.

Is Mental Health the Black Church's Business?

Lead/Recipient: Kaleo Productions Inc.
Location: Greater Toronto Area, ON
Start date: April 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: The project aims to develop and deliver an annual Mental Health Symposium for Black Churches to equip its members to help eliminate stigma and uncover and educate on the realities of mental health in the Black Church. Project activities include a Town Hall, three symposia on subgroups within Black Churches (youth, women, elders) and short documentaries and podcasts to raise awareness. The target population is Black, African or Caribbean members of the Black Church in the Greater Toronto Area.

Alternative and Restorative Justice for and by the Black Communities of Montreal North

Lead/Recipient: Événement Hoodstock
Location: Montreal, QC
Start date: October 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: This project looks at the impacts of over-criminalization because of mental health within the Montreal North Black community, with a particular focus on youth and their families. The project is establishing partnerships and answering research questions that are helping the design and development of a longer-term implementation project focused on alternative justice models to help improve the overall mental health of Black Canadians in the community. Événement Hoodstock is conducting in-depth field research to identify best practices and develop culturally adapted alternative and restorative justice prevention approaches. Research is being conducted through a literature review and interviews with victims, ex-offenders and families.
Implementation Project : Justice hoodistique

Mental Health Initiative Curriculum and Evaluation Plan Development

Lead/Recipient: Aspire for Higher
Location: Brampton, ON
Start date: April 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: This project aims to develop a mental health education curriculum, and build capacity for its implementation, in Aspire for Higher Elite Basketball's programs for youth. The new mental health curriculum is being developed in consultation with mental health professionals, education professionals, child welfare organizations, and other partners and organizations. This project offers targeted support to Black youth, particularly males, in Brampton, Ontario.
Implementation Project: Youth Mental Wellness Program

Mobilizing Partnerships: Taking Steps Together for Supported Re-Integration

Lead/Recipient: Dalhousie University
Location: Multiple communities, NS
Start date: May 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: This project aims to develop approaches to support the reintegration of African Nova Scotians from the criminal justice system into the community and to address mental health-related barriers, including stigma. This capacity building project focuses on identifying knowledge and service gaps and building a network of advocates, organizations and professionals to support the development and implementation of culturally relevant programs. The target population is youth of African descent aged 15 to 35 who were incarcerated or in conflict with the law. This project incorporates people of all genders to ensure multiple perspectives are represented.

Promoting Health Capacity for Black Families in the Maritimes

Lead/Recipient: African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes (ADAM)
Location: Multiple communities, Atlantic Region, NS
Start date: April 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: This project works within communities to promote understanding of mental health, including the role of racism-induced stress. The project is building capacity in local Black communities by establishing a community advisory team, training Black community members on mental health first aid, holding community engagement sessions to help identify challenges to accessing mental health services among Black Canadians and holding events aimed at providing healthy outlets for stress. The project is also working to establish a network of culturally proficient mental health professionals that can help to deliver training and workshops and advise on longer term mental health promotion strategies. The project's community events are open to all individuals of African-descent throughout the Maritimes and have an emphasis on reaching African diaspora communities who are recent to Canada.

Promoting mental health equity for Canada's Black refugees: A pilot intervention with Rwandan and South Sudanese Refugees in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta

Lead/Recipient: University of Calgary
Location: Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta
Start date: May 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: The project aims to build a collaborative partnership between academics, Black Canadian leaders, and representatives of Black refugee communities to enhance understanding of mental health problems among Canada's Black refugees. Project activities include strengthening community-based partnerships, synthesizing community-based knowledge and identifying promising approaches, and, designing a community-based intervention. The target population includes Rwandan and South Sudanese refugees because of their shared values, beliefs, and pre- and post-migration experiences.

Mental Health of African-Canadian Students, Researchers and Intellectuals

Lead/Recipient: Université du Québec à Montréal
Location: Multiple cities (Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver)
Start dat:: October 2019
Duration: 12 months
In brief: The project aims to build the foundation for a pan-Canadian network of African-Canadian post-secondary students, researchers and academics. The project is researching and analyzing the impacts of racism in academia on the mental health of students, researchers and academics. Culturally appropriate interventions to address these challenges are being identified and an interface between researchers working on issues affecting Black academics' mental health and community stakeholders is being created. The project is rolling out in various cities: Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Moncton, and Rimouski.
Implementation Project: Promoting Black Students’ Mental Health: A Pan-Canadian Research and Intervention Project on Social Determinants of Health and Equity in Canadian Universities

Implementation Stream – Phase I

African-Caribbean-Black (ACB) Women Living Life to the Full: Peer Based Mental Health Promotion Initiatives for ACB Women

Lead/Recipient: Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre
Location: Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor and Hamilton, ON
Start date: July 2019
Duration: 46 months
In brief: The project is testing and adapting the Living Life to the Full Course, a group-based interactive course based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This course is being adapted to be women-centered, adopt an anti-oppressive approach, and address the unique determinants of health for African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women in a culturally appropriate way. The project is developing training materials, in consultation with the community and an advisory group, and establishing a network of peer facilitators to deliver the training.
The project focuses on hard-to-serve and marginalized ACB women, which include newcomers, immigrants, refugees, women on low incomes, women with complex health and mental health issues, youth and LGBTQ2+. The project responds to a research study conducted by the applicants that identified several barriers to mental health specific to ACB women, including stigma, distrust of services and lack of cultural competence in service providers.

ArTeMo Project

Lead/Recipient: Council for the Advancement of African Canadians (Africa Centre)
Location: Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, AB
Start date: November 2019
Duration: 36 months
In brief: The project is developing and testing a suite of culturally informed interventions for Black Canadian youth, particularly those in marginalized situations. The project seeks to increase knowledge on addressing mental health and its determinants through programs that connect youth to their culture, create a sense of belonging and identity, and enhance empowerment. Activities for youth include workshops, community fora, youth conferences, mentorship and employment support, mental health services navigation and cultural learning activities. The project also includes activities for organizations that provide services to at-risk Black youth such as health care, social services and law enforcement in order to increase cultural competency of these organizations and facilitate access to services. The project principally targets Black Canadian youth facing social and economic barriers such as homelessness, pre-existing mental health conditions or diverse sexual orientation or identities. The project also focuses on newcomer and refugee families with youth from war-torn countries.

Jane-Finch Wellness Advocates for Youth (WAY)

Lead/Recipient: Black Creek Community Health Centre
Location: Greater Toronto Area, ON
Start date: October 2019
Duration: 23 Months
In brief: The project aims to improve the understanding of the mental health and well-being of hard-to-reach Black youth from the Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto, particularly as it relates to the social determinants of health. The project is researching, implementing and evaluating interventions for supporting hard-to-reach Black youth and improving their educational and mental health outcomes. Programming addresses the social determinants of mental health and includes supports for alternative learning, food security, housing and employment. Mentors are helping Black youth navigate through difficult community issues such as substance use, criminal activity, street involvement and trauma associated with witnessing violence. The primary target population of the project is hard-to-reach Black youth, in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto. The project is delivering interventions and activities for families, social service organizations and the broader youth community. The project directly involves a cohort of Black youth as well as engaging their families, peer mentors and other community members.

Pathways to Care: Improving Mental Health and Addictions Services for Black Children, Youth and their Families in Ontario

Lead/Recipient: Black Health Alliance
Location: Greater Toronto Area, ON
Start date: July 2019
Duration: 45 months
In brief: The project aims to define and improve pathways to care for Black children, youth, and their families who require mental health and addictions services. The project builds on an existing project that is currently focused on Black youth aged 12 to 29. The project activities include documenting a treatment protocol and best practices for delivering cultural safe and responsive mental healthcare for Black children and their families and then working with organizations to collaborate on implementing these practices. Furthermore, the project is building capacity amongst families, caregivers and communities to support the mental health care needs of children in areas such as stigma, mental health first-aid and systems navigation. The target population includes children aged 5 to 11 and their families. The project is enhancing service to French speaking and Francophone Black Ontarians.

Mental Health of Black Communities in the National Capital Region: Assessment, Prevention and Intervention Tools

Lead/Recipient: University of Ottawa
Location: Ottawa, ON
Start date: June 2019
Duration: 48 months
In brief: The project aims to better understand and support the social determinants and mental health needs of Black youth and their families from both French and English communities in the National Capital Region. Research on the prevalence of mental health challenges in these communities, the underlying causes, and the current patterns of service use is informing the development of resources and supports currently lacking for this population. The project is developing and distributing education and awareness materials, as well as culturally-adapted tools to support the communities' and mental health practitioners' needs. Black youth are involved in the longitudinal study of the project. Moreover, the academic community is reached through scientific articles in English and French scientific journals.

STAY (Storytelling, Training, Advocacy, and Youth drop-in)- Strengthening the Ecosystems of Black Youth Facing Involvement with Child Welfare or Protective Services

Lead/Recipient: Head and Hands / À deux Mains
Location: Montreal, QC
Start date: October 2019
Duration: 36 months
In brief: The project is developing a series of programs to build the capacity of Black youth in child welfare or protective services, referred to as "youth in care", as well as other marginalized Black youth, to express themselves and advocate for themselves on issues related to mental well-being, while also working to train community workers to better serve these youth. The project seeks to improve the mental health and well-being of Black youth by developing their skills and knowledge around their own mental health needs and creating safe spaces for peer support and social inclusion. As well, the project aims to improve the social environment and service provision for marginalized Black youth by sensitizing organizations that interact with marginalized Black youth to their needs and decreasing stigma.

The IMARA Generation Peer Leadership

Lead/Recipient: TAIBU Community Health Centre
Location: Greater Toronto Area, ON
Start date: June 2019
Duration: 46 months
In brief: The project is collaborating with Black youth to co-develop a youth-focused, culturally appropriate mental health awareness and support program. This youth peer leadership program is being delivered through community organizations in the Greater Toronto Area that serve Black youth. It is engaging the families of Black youth to teach them about positive parenting and mentorship and their influence on mental health.
The project aligns with TAIBU's recently developed and adapted Model of Black Health and Wellbeing, as well as the Afrocentric principles of self-determination, collective work and responsibility, and unity. The project works with youth aged 15 to 24 who identify as Black or of African descent, and their families. Outreach and recruitment include a focus on groups at higher risk such as East African youth, Francophone youth, LGBTQ youth, and youth of Muslim faith. Family members are engaged to provide youth with support and mentorship.

Towards Positive Change to Promote Mental Health and Well-being for Black Canadians in Manitoba

Lead/Recipient: Barbados Association of Winnipeg Inc.
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Start date: October 2019
Duration: 24 months
In brief: The project aims to develop a culturally appropriate toolkit for mental health promotion and equity based on community engagement. The project is researching existing mental health promotion tools and selecting a model to adapt to be culturally appropriate for Black Canadians. The ultimate goal is that the toolkit be integrated by organizations serving Black communities in Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba, and possibly nationally. The tool kit will address issues and topics relevant to a range of Black Canadian populations that organizations may be serving, including youth, adults, seniors and newcomers.

Implementation Stream – Phase II

Youth Mental Wellness Program

Lead/Recipient: Aspire for Higher
Location: Brampton, ON
Start date: April 2021
Duration: 29 months
In brief: The project aims to implement a 12-week health promotion after school program to educate Black youth about mental health using an anti-Black racism lens. This intervention will train program facilitators aged 15-34 to deliver an in-class learning session and on court basketball sessions for youth aged 12-14. The evidence-based, culturally appropriate curriculum was developed in the incubation phase of the project. The overarching goal of the project is to create a safe space for learning and discussion on improving mental health of Black youth.

Justice hoodistique

Lead/Recipient: Événement Hoodstock
Location: Montréal-Nord, QC
Start date: July 2021
Duration: 33 months
In Brief: The Justice hoodistique program is a pilot project designed to be integrated into the extrajudicial sanctions program and the General Alternative Measures Program for young Afro-descendants aged 12 to 35 who are accused of a crime. The program will promote a holistic, multidisciplinary and intersectional approach that considers human beings in all their complexity, not just in terms of criminality and victimization. Reparation, to the community or to the victim, is fundamental to this program, as is the rebuilding of self. Although the pilot project is geared toward restorative justice on a local scale, the goal is to expand its reach in Quebec and share the lessons learned with other provinces and territories in Canada.

Promoting Black Students’ Mental Health: A Pan-Canadian Research and Intervention Project on Social Determinants of Health and Equity in Canadian Universities

Lead/Recipient: York University
Location: Atlantique, Québec, Ontario, Prairies
Start date: August 2021
Duration: 35 months
In Brief: The purpose of this bilingual pan-Canadian project, being led by Dr. Agnès Berthelot-Raffard (School of Health Polis to conduct research, implement interventions promoting mental health and generate new knowledge. First, the project uses qualitative and quantitative research to generate previously unpublished knowledge and evidence‑based data on the social determinants of mental health of students in Black Canadian communities. Second, based on capacity building, the project aims to identify, create and develop culturally adapted psychoeducational interventions to improve health equity for Black students according to their needs and to promote positive mental health in this demographic. Lastly, using a community and action research approach, this pan-Canadian project aims to counter the systemic barriers faced by Black university students from diverse communities and backgrounds. The project results will support Canadian universities in developing innovative approaches for equity and social justice and implementing on-campus mental health services that are culturally adapted to the realities of Black students.

Implementation Stream - Black LGBTQI+ Canadians

Journey Mapping Across Canada– Black LGBTQ+ Justice, Sexual & Mental Health

Lead/Recipient: Ribbon Rouge Foundation
Location: Edmonton, AB
Start date: July 2021
Duration: 32 months
In Brief: The project seeks to gather and mobilize information on the experiences and barriers faced by LGBTQI+ individuals as they navigate services for mental health, substance use and addictions, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI), and criminal justice involvement. The aim of this project is to improve support and skills and share programs and interventions that have a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of Black LGBTQI+ communities.

Our Stories, Our Voices: Mental Health Narratives and the Black LGBTQ+ Experience

Lead/Recipient: Across Boundaries - An Ethnoracial Mental Health Center (In partnership with Adornment Stories)
Location: Toronto, ON
Start date: July 2021
Duration: 32 months
In Brief: The project aims to increase understanding of the mental health needs and experiences of Black LGBTQI+ communities in order to build capacity and provide leadership opportunities for its members, make mental health conversations more accessible, and find approaches to promote positive mental health. As part of the project, tools, resources and a curricula will be developed to support leadership training, practitioner training and community workshops. The project expects to reach more than 300 Black LGBTQI+ individuals, with priority given to Black Trans, non-binary, queer persons, and those who face poverty, migration, and disability.

Sustaining Ecosystems of Healing: Creating Culturally Relevant Mental Health Resources for Black 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth

Lead/Recipient: The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Youth Project society (The Youth Project)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Start date: July 2021
Duration: 31 months
In Brief: Sustaining Ecosystems of Healing is a youth-centric project that utilizes anti-oppressive and trauma informed frameworks through a creative arts model to address barriers that Black 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (ages 30 and under) face in accessing supportive mental health resources. These realities will be examined through a Black-centric intercultural and culturally relevant lens in service, programming, education, mentorship and resource provision to participants while also creating engaging and informative resources and offering meaningful mentorship opportunities to the greater African Nova Scotian and Black communities provincially and ultimately nationally. This project is dedicated to creating and carving spaces to increase resilience and further empower provincial Black 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, all the while strengthening collaboration within Black 2SLGBTQIA+ holistic health and wellness services provincially.

Implementation Stream – Knowledge Mobilization Network

Amandla Olwazi – The Power of Knowledge

Lead/Recipient: TAIBU Community Health Centre
Location: Greater Toronto Area, ON
Start date: October 2021
Duration: 20 months
In Brief: The project seeks to develop a national knowledge network in support of the Government of Canada's Mental Health of Black Canadians (MHBC) Fund. By developing a central space for knowledge sharing, the project will build capacity within Black communities by increasing knowledge of mental health and addressing inequalities and social determinants of health, using culturally responsive and Afrocentric approaches. This project will work to improve awareness of an Afrocentric perspective, and create positive change in policies and practices that impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black Canadians.

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