Black Mental Health Month
In many Black communities, mental health is stigmatized, and talking about your mental health issues can have social consequences. The ACMP aims to provide ACB youth with the tools and safe opportunity to successfully talk about mental health issues in the open. To ensure that this discussion is trauma-informed and attentive to stigma, the ACMP will engage with a range of experts from the mental health field, covering the most common and most harmful mental health issues that ACB youth face.
In January 2022, the Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program (ACMP), partnered with the Royal Bank of Canada will host four events to address some of the major issues that the ACB community faces. Prizes will be given away at each event!
Let’s Talk: Anxiety and Depression: January 20 at 6pm
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health issues. Everyone can sometimes feel anxious or depressed and may need support or skills to cope as best as possible. For many of us, anxiety and depression can have a profound effect on our lives depending on our own lived experiences. Our goal is to explain what each of these conditions entails, how to recognize them, share strategies to mitigate and cope, and how to support people who live with anxiety and depression.
Changing The Narrative: How do Black people cope with the new “Normal?”: January 22 at 6pm
The Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program (ACMP), partnered with the Royal Bank of Canada, invites all community members to a FREE showcasing of the film “Home,” directed by Oliver Jono. The film is a story of an African American man dealing with mental health concerns that limit his ability to assert himself in mainstream society. “Home” showcases the main character’s plight to transition from living in a group home to suitable and independent living. Although the movie is not directly tied to the COVID pandemic, we showcase this film to encourage critical thinking and meaningful conversations about mental health concerns in the Black community.
Panel Discussion: Locating the (A)ccess for African descent people in addressing their MENTAL HEALTH concerns-January 26 at 6pm
This bilingual event will host African descent Therapists/Psychologists through an online panel discussion.
The event focuses on providing ACB community members and the broader community with the opportunity to talk about mental health issues openly and safely with mental health professionals. By creating a safe space for ACB people and folks from different ethnic backgrounds to connect with experts in the field, we strive to empower people by granting them access to tools and resources that allow them to seek help but know how to (a)ccess help. Additionally, we hope to raise awareness about the wide spectrum of mental health issues that affect the ACB community and reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness. This can include promoting positive behaviours that encourage people to seek help and inspire others to consider their emotional well-being.
Self Care: Supporting Your Own Mental Health-January 31 at 6pm
This event is intended to provide attendees with an opportunity to learn from our invited mental health professionals. The ACMP is focused on providing ACB youth with the opportunity to talk about mental health issues openly and safely with mental health professionals. By creating a safe space for ACB students to connect with experts in the field, we hope to empower students by granting them access to tools and resources that allow them to seek help. Additionally, we hope to raise awareness about the wide spectrum of mental health issues that affect the ACB community and reduce the stigmas associated with mental illness. This can include promoting positive behaviours that encourage people to seek help and inspiring others to give more consideration to their own emotional well-being.
Register at the link below