Stigma reduction
Creating space for open conversations around mental health in Black communities.
Health Initiatives
Mental Health Initiatives
Advancing culturally appropriate mental health awareness, education, partnerships, and support for African, Caribbean, and Black communities in Ottawa and the National Capital Region.
ACB
Focused support for African, Caribbean, and Black
communities
12 weeks
Joy Workshop Series through guided art therapy
19+
Coalition members working toward mental health strategy
NCR
Supporting people of African descent in the National Capital
Region
The need
Reducing stigma and improving access to support.
In the Black community, there is a negative stigma surrounding mental health. Instead of seeking professional help for conditions such as depression and anxiety, some people in the community resort to self-medication or isolation in an attempt to solve their problems on their own.
This issue of masking pain is especially prevalent amongst Black men. Partnering with the Somerset West Community Health Centre, ACAO continues to deliver on its mandate to ensure total health, including mental health, for people of African descent in the National Capital Region.
Culturally appropriate support
Supporting access to mental health resources that reflect community realities.
Community partnerships
Working with health centres, coalitions, and community partners to improve outcomes.
Education and workshops
Delivering programming that helps normalize mental health conversations.
Initiatives
Advocating for better mental health outcomes.
Mental health in the Black community continues to be an issue. Cultural, religious, and racial factors can often stifle people’s initiative to seek help.
Since its inception, ACAO has been at the forefront of advocating for better health outcomes for Black communities here in Ottawa and Canada. There are several activities ACAO pursues to realize the goals of its mental health program.
Workshop series
Joy through art, connection, and support.
A creative mental health initiative designed to help participants find joy, friendship, and support through guided art therapy.
12
week cohort workshop series addressing mental health
through art therapy.
This workshop series was designed to help people going through severe mental health crisis find joy and friendship through art. The program was delivered by professional art therapists and social workers.
The pilot virtual program was so successful that ACAO expressed interest in duplicating it in person at the new office facility at 40 Colonnade Rd N or at partner locations.
Coalition work
Community mental health programs and partnerships.
ACAO is a founding member of OBMHC. The coalition currently has 19 members, including SWCHC, Ottawa Public Health, Centre Le Cap, CESOC, REPFO, and other partners.
The coalition is working towards the development of a Regional Mental Health strategy for the African, Caribbean, and Black community in Ottawa. The goal is to achieve a more equitable mental health system by improving access to culturally appropriate mental health supports and resources.
ACAO partnered with Somerset West Community Health Centre to deliver workshops aimed at promoting behaviour change through education and support, while helping normalize the conversation around mental health.
Somerset West Community Health Centre
Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition
Ottawa Public Health, Centre Le Cap, CESOC, REPFO, and
community partners
Mental health support should be culturally informed.
ACAO continues to work with partners to reduce stigma, improve access, and support healthier outcomes for Black communities in Ottawa.