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Black Mental Health Day is celebrated annually immediately following Black History Month on the first Monday of March. It was created in 2020 by the City of Toronto and Taibu Community Health Centre to raise awareness of the effects of anti-Black racism on mental health and to encourage conversations within Black communities about mental health, attempting to reduce stigma and highlight supportive pathways.
Black Mental Health Day Black Mental Health Week
2025 Black Mental Health Day at Durham Catholic District School Board
On Black Mental Health Day, we are called to recognize the ongoing impact on mental health that results from experiences of anti-Black racism, and to raise awareness of the specific mental health needs of Black communities. Learn more about Black Mental Health Day from DCDSB students in this video.
Resources:
- Rise Up Kids Help Phone
- Black Youth Help Line
- Taibu CHC
- Women’s Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre
- Tropicana Community Services
- DCDSB Mental Health & Well-Being Webpage
Previous Black Mental Health Day Events
| March 4, 2024: Be You, Be Well: A Black Mental Health Day Event |
Be You, Be Well: A Black Mental Health Day Event
March 4, 2024 marks the fifth annual Black Mental Health Day, recognized by communities across Ontario. On Black Mental Health Day, we are called to recognize the ongoing impact on mental health that results from experiences of anti-Black racism and to raise awareness of the specific mental health needs of Black communities. Join us as we examine these impacts and needs and discuss ways in which members of the community can support their mental health. This year DCDSB is proud to present Roxanne Francis, an award-winning psychotherapist, registered social worker, consultant, leadership coach and international speaker, who has been helping people access tools to change their lives for over 15 years. As well, we will host a panel discussion including: Trudy Stone, Culinary Nutritionist, Joy Lapps, Musical Artist/Composer and more! Watch the full recording of the event below: |
| March 6, 2023: Dionne Sinclair and Maryanne Oketch, Keynote Speakers |
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March 6, 2023 marked the fourth annual Black Mental Health Day, recognized by communities across Ontario. On Black Mental Health Day, we are called to recognize the ongoing impact on mental health that results from experiences of anti-Black racism. It is also a day to raise awareness of the specific mental health needs of Black communities across Ontario. During the evening on Monday, March 6, 2023, Not Just Surviving: Centering Black Mental Health was held at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School. Prior to the event beginning, community service booths were set up to provide information to attendees. The DCDSB proudly presented: Dionne Sinclair Having lived experience as an immigrant child from Jamaica, Dionne shared her journey from these beginnings to her current role as the Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at CAMH. Dionne spoke about the impact of racism on the mental health of Black and other racialized individuals and the pervasive reality of anti-Black racism in Canada, discussing both the current state and what to do about it. Maryanne Oketch As we become more aware of the inequalities that members of minority communities face, it is important to understand what the systemic issues are that lead to injustice. In this talk, Maryanne took experiences from her personal life to describe how she overcame the challenges and roadblocks that came her way, and the support that she had while doing so.
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| March 7, 2022: Natalie Haynes, Keynote Speaker |
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On the evening of March 7, 2022 several DCDSB staff, students and parents/caregivers participated in an event in recognition of Black Mental Health Day. This day calls us to recognize the ongoing impact on mental health that results from experiences of anti-Black racism. It is also a day to raise awareness of the specific mental health needs of Black communities across Ontario. The event featured Natalie Haynes, Registered Psychotherapist, Training Consultant and Speaker, who shared her own journey of self-acceptance, as well as information to guide others who may be seeking clarity, awareness and understanding of what gets in the way of accepting who they are. The recording is available below:
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| March 1, 2021: Asante Haughton, Keynote Speaker |
March 1, 2021 - Black Mental Health DayA recording of the Black Mental Health Day presentation with keynote speaker, Asante Haughton. |
