The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has extended an invitation to organizations to seek funding aimed at supporting the mental health of Black communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Under the leadership of Noah Boakye, the GCAO submitted a grant proposal for the establishment of a specialized mental health first aid program for African and Black populations in Canada. In November 2022, the GCAO secured funding to implement mental health initiatives targeting these specific communities. Currently, GCAO is in the initial stages of Year 1 recruitment.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) serves as an evidence-based educational instrument aimed at promoting awareness, self-assurance, and the mitigation of mental health stigma. Our current focus centers on cultivating individuals within the community to become proficient Mental Health First Aid Instructors, capable of delivering culturally tailored training. Our underlying belief is that the integration of MHFA within African diaspora communities will enhance their capacity to address the specific challenges arising from limited access and comprehension of mental health issues, encompassing both a conceptual framework and pragmatic application.

Africans in the diaspora create associations to support their wellbeing. Specifically, these associations are formed to maintain their culture and connection to their heritage and to create awareness and advocate for their needs. Our collaboration with the Associations and the response from community-based organizations aimed at addressing mental health has been incredibly positive. Since the project’s commencement, we have established connections with 57 organizations spanning across Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Each of these organizations put forth 1-2 nominees, resulting in a total of 37 individuals slated for facilitator training. Out of this group, the Mental Health Commission of Canada has given the green light for 12 candidates, who will constitute the inaugural cohort undergoing training from August 14-18, 2023.

The achievement we have realized is a direct result of our collaborative endeavors with diverse African Canadian and Black organizations and associations across Canada. This strategic cooperation was pursued to broaden the project’s reach and thoughtfully acknowledge the ethnic complexities inherent within African-Canadian communities. These partnerships serve to augment cultural competence and address inherent power dynamics between providers and participants.

MHFA involves providing aid to individuals confronting mental health difficulties or crises. Through recommendations and warm referrals, we successfully enlisted the support of 15 proficient mental health practitioners (Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists) of African heritage. These committee members not only share the same lineage but also possess a resolute commitment to crafting content aligned with cultural contexts and guided by a decolonization approach. The committee remains actively engaged in ongoing discussions, with members organized into smaller clusters, each dedicated to specific segments concerning Mental Health disorders and concerns. The committee met in person to complete the case studies May 18-21, 2023, in Calgary, Alberta. 

In our pursuit of assembling mental health experts as facilitators, our selection process was marked by a conscientious effort to identify professionals committed to curating a case study toolkit centered around individuals of African descent. The program’s initial phase has yielded positive outcomes, with collaborative efforts standing as a cornerstone in upholding a commendable standard of excellence. This collaborative framework hinges on transparent communication with over 150 community and cultural organizations, underscored by a precise delineation of roles and responsibilities. This ongoing collaboration between GCAO and these entities is nurturing a bedrock of trust, poised to underpin forthcoming partnerships. A shared objective has emerged, revolving around a joint mission to combat mental health stigma while concurrently furnishing support and nurturing community capacity. The fusion of this objective with the project’s adaptive design stands as a pivotal driver of the project’s achievements thus far.

To find out more about the project, please contact Noah Boakye-Yiadom at noah@bynconsults.com or Mary Akuamoah-Boateng at vp@gcaocanada.org