Transforming Narratives to Center the Humanity, Dignity, and Lived Realities of Black Communities.
The 4th Annual Anti-Black Racism event aims to give Black community members and the wider community a chance to discuss mental health issues openly and safely. We empower individuals by providing tools and resources that help them understand how to seek and access support. Furthermore, we strive to increase awareness of the broad range of mental health issues impacting Black Canadians while working to minimize the stigmas linked to mental illness.
Anti-Black racism is not solely a social justice issue; it is also a critical concern for mental health. The pervasive nature of racism, including its systemic manifestations embedded within institutions, has profound psychological effects on individuals and communities. Experiences of racism, whether explicit or subtle, contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. In Canada, despite efforts to support Black Canadians and their mental health concerns, the persistence of anti-Black racism acts as a significant barrier, perpetuating mental health disparities and compounding the effects of social and economic inequities. Addressing and dismantling these systemic forms of racism is essential not only for achieving social justice but also for fostering mental well-being. Programs such as this play a crucial role in creating environments where Black Canadians can flourish free from the psychological toll of Anti-Blackness.
This event will examine how the intersections of race, social class, immigration status, sexuality, and gender influence distinct mental health challenges among Black Canadians. These complex and overlapping identities not only heighten exposure to systemic discrimination and exclusion but also underscore the essential role of solidarity and safe spaces as vital responses that are both dynamic and culturally rooted in the face of policy-driven limitations.
This one-day conference serves as a culmination of ACMP’s Mental Health Awareness Month, focusing on anti-Black racism as a critical mental health issue. The event aims to:
· Highlight the psychological toll of systemic racism.
· Examine how intersecting identities compound discrimination and mental health challenges.
· Foster solidarity as a tool for collective healing and empowerment.
· Reduce stigma surrounding mental illness within the Black community.
Participants will gain actionable insights into addressing inequities through a keynote address by Dr. Ciann Wilson and an expert panel discussion.
The event will create a safe space for people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to discuss, promote understanding and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
DATE: JAN 30, 6:00–8:30pm
LOCATION: MTS CLASSROOMS ABC, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Wy, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0L5
🎯 FREE Food
🎯 FREE refreshment
Purpose:
To explore and address the intersection of anti-Black racism and mental health challenges in Canada, fostering solidarity and collective action for equity.
Community Involvement:
This event will be open to all students from University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg and The Red River Collegiate, high school students, and the broader Winnipeg community, as part of our ongoing commitment to education, empowerment, and social justice.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
DR. CIANN L. WILSON
Associate Professor; Canada Research Chair in Community-Based Research, Ethics, and Well-Being; Program Coordinator, Community Psychology; Co-Director, Centre for Community Research, Learning, and Action