On March 10, the Africa Centre, the Alberta Black Therapists Network, and the Black Mental Health Canada Inc. joined together to put on an event to raise awareness on Black Mental Health Week, with one strong message, “Black Mental Health Matters”.
The event took place at the Africa Centre
Head office in Edmonton with an educational keynote speech by Dr. Miriam Sekandi, an exciting musical performance, delicious food, and engaging networking.
The key questions were posted on the wall with participants sticking notes below with suggestions.
The main questions were:
- How can Black mental health professionals be equipped to provide cultural sensitive care to the Black community?
- How should Black Mental Health week be celebrated?
- What barriers are faced by Black community when seeking mental health support?
- Black Mental Health Week is a yearly event focused on amplifying Black voices and raising awareness about the historical and ongoing impact that systemic, anti-Black racism has on the mental health and wellness of Black communities.
Miriam Sekandi and the Executive Director of Alberta Black Therapists Network, Noreen Sibanda, spoke to Diversity TV about Black Mental Health Week, coming up on Friday in the Diversity Community Newscast for March 17.
