Anti-Black racism pervades all aspects of society. There is no “neutral” stance in the face of injustice; we must move forward in our understanding of anti-oppression and anti-racism and reflect on our responsibility to dismantle racism and support the mental health and well-being of all our Black students.

March 1, 2021 is the second annual Black Mental Health Day in Ontario. is a day to raise awareness and draw attention to the impact that anti-Black racism continues to have on the mental health of Black people, and the need to enact systemic change.

Why talk about anti-Black racism?

Having discussions with children and youth about anti-Black racism lets them know that we, as adults, are aware of the social context, and are not afraid to discuss and confront difficult topics like anti-Black racism. Providing Black children and youth with supportive spaces and opportunities to express their feelings and talk openly about their lived experiences with systemic barriers at school and in the community demonstrates a commitment to addressing anti-Black racism and can begin a healing process with Black children and youth. Acknowledging that anti-Black racism exists, and that it has an impact on the health and well-being of Black-Canadians, can help to counteract the impacts of anti-Black racism.

Research has shown on countless occasions that experiencing or internalizing racism can have a significant impact on one’s mental health. Some of these effects include:

• Increased risk of depression or suicide
• Increased levels of anxiety and stress related illnesses (i.e. high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, nervous system problems, other physical ailments) — When people experience stressful situations like discrimination, their body moves into a state of fight or flight, which in the past was key to our survival. Today however, when the fight or flight system is frequently engaged, it causes inflammation that could lead to chronic health problems in the long run.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Substance Abuse Problems
• Intergenerational Racism/Trauma — Can be experienced by children who observe racism or racist behaviours and affect school performance and developmental milestones — especially if these acts are towards their parents or caregivers. Symptoms include fear, hypervigilance, confusion, shame or guilt, self-blame and headaches.
• Internalized beliefs – Conscious or unconscious acceptance of common racial tropes that can lead to low self-esteem and increased symptoms of psychological distress.
• Racial Battle Fatigue – Resulting from a daily struggle with racism or racist-based behaviours, causing a person to constantly be on guard to protect against the hostile environment.
• Feelings of helplessness or worthlessness
• Avoidance behaviours — Avoiding situations and places that could lead to an increase in mental health symptoms as a result of racism, even if they would be meaningful, valuable or positive for the individual such as employment, education or healthcare facilities.

Resources and additional information provided by our York Catholic Mental Health Team

Importance of Self Care

According to the Oxford Dictionary, self care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health; taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Self- care is not about being selfish or self-indulgent. It is about self-preservation, self-awareness,  maintaining sanity and energy and changing our focus away from anxious and stressful thoughts.

Here are some ways to build self-care into your daily routine:

Self Care Apps

Liberate –

A meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. Listen to dozens of guided meditations to ease anxiety, find gratitude, heal internalized racism and microaggressions and celebrate Blackness. 

Elevate: Mental Health Inspirational Self-Care  

An inspirational living and self-care mobile application that serves as a personal guide to mental, physical, and emotional success and wellness for the Black community.

Additional resources to support mental health 

• Newmarket African Canadian Caribbean Communities –   
• York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities –
• CAMH – Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) –  416 535-8501, press 2 or
• TAIBU Community Health Centre – or
• Toronto For All: Offers Anti-Black Racism & mental health resources –
• Caribbean African Canadian Social Services () – 416-740-1056 
• Centre francophone du Grand Toronto Mental Health Crisis Line – 647-881-6761 or 647-268-2016
• (647) 367-6656

This past year has been a greater struggle than years past as a result of the global pandemic with children, youth and adults experiencing challenges with maintaining positive mental health. While Bell Let’s Talk Day is important, we know that good mental health does not take a vacation the other 364 days of the year.

Recognizing this, as part of their Grade 8 Health Unit, Andrea Cook’s Grade 8 class at set out to provide support and hope for their peers from Kindergarten right through to Grade eight. Beginning in the fall, they started work on ‘Grit and Resilience Week’ to coincide with Bell Let’s Talk Day, creating a resource toolkit for the school’s primary, junior and intermediate students.

“The Grade 8 health curriculum expectations call for students to engage with mental health literacy and routines and habits for sustainable positive mental health,” Ms. Cook said. “We began by exploring resources that inspired positive mental health traits which led to students exploring and cultivating media such as songs, prayers, videos and quotes, that encapsulated how people show grit and resilience in exhibiting that trait.”

From there, both in-person and remote learners collaborated in preparing presentations for their peers that included themed days and extension activities. These activities were designed to allow for reflection, mindfulness and provide some skill building in self-regulation and stress management. Students at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy will have the opportunity to explore the tool kits this week and the digital resource has been collated as part of the school’s digital library for future use by staff and students.

Bell Let’s Talk Day is Thursday, January 28 and the ˿����Ƶ���� is joining in to help drive progress in mental health.

COVID-19 has affected every aspect of our lives, including our mental health. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 38% of Canadians say their mental health has declined due to COVID-19, and people already struggling with their mental health were twice as likely to say their mental health has declined due to the pandemic.

Remote learning, teaching and working is challenging. Staying connected with friends, colleagues, family and community members, investing in access to care, and even just taking care of our own mental health, are ways that we can all contribute to healthier schools, workplaces and communities.

The ˿����Ƶ����’s Mental Health Team has shared specific #BellLetsTalk resources with schools via system memo last week so students and staff can join the conversation. There is also information about mental health and well-being on our Board website, including newsletters by our Psychology Department. Follow on Twitter to learn more. 

This year’s #BellLetsTalk Day campaign shines a light on the actions that we can all take, because now more than ever, mental health matters. 

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell donates 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for every applicable text, phone call, Tweet, , and other applicable social media post. 

You can also download the to begin your own conversation about mental health at home, school or in the workplace.

Please join us this Bell Let’s Talk Day by showing your support for all those who live with mental illness and those taking action to help them.