Project To Develop Anti-Black Racism Strategy For Toronto’s Infant, Child And Youth Mental Health Sector Launched

Ekua Asabea Blair, Chief Executive Officer of The Massey Centre for Women and co-Chair of the Task Force, notes: “Input from the community is critical to understanding the issues facing Black infants, children, youth, and families in accessing mental health services.” Photo contributed.

Project To Develop Anti-Black Racism Strategy For Toronto’s Infant, Child And Youth Mental Health Sector Launched

Project To Develop Anti-Black Racism Strategy For Toronto’s Infant, Child And Youth Mental Health Sector Launched

Ekua Asabea Blair, Chief Executive Officer of The Massey Centre for Women and co-Chair of the Task Force, notes: “Input from the community is critical to understanding the issues facing Black infants, children, youth, and families in accessing mental health services.” Photo contributed.

 November 26, 2021 

TORONTO, Ontario (November 26, 2021) – Toronto-based mental health agencies that cater to infants, children and youth have formed a task force to develop a multi-year strategy to address anti-Black racism in the sector.

The goal of the strategy is to ensure that the sector honours its promise to end anti-Black racism and provide culturally-responsive programs and services, which help Black infants, children, and youth thrive.

Janet McCrimmon is the Chief Executive Officer of Strides Toronto and co-Chair of the Anti-Black Racism Task Force

Janet McCrimmon is the Chief Executive Officer of Strides Toronto and co-Chair of the Anti-Black Racism Task Force. Photo courtesy of Strides Toronto.

“We are eager to engage in this work and to raise awareness of the impact of anti-Black racism on infants, children, youth, and families, and to create long-lasting change that will increase access to mental health services that will provide better outcomes for Black service users,” said Ekua Asabea Blair, Chief Executive Officer of The Massey Centre for Women and co-Chair of the Task Force, which is comprised of staff, from a cross-section of agencies in Toronto.

The Task Force has selected Turner Consulting Group to conduct the research, carry out the consultations, and develop the strategy. The consultants will collect, analyze, and report on the data, then use this information to develop a strategy to address the identified issues.

Tana Turner, principal consultant of Turner Consulting Group, is a researcher, consultant, and advocate for social justice and systems change. She works primarily with non-profit and public sector organizations to help them understand and respond to the growing diversity of the labour market, employee population, and community served.

“We look forward to hearing from the community and agency staff, to understand the issues faced, which will inform the development of the strategy,” said Janet McCrimmon, Chief Executive Officer of Strides Toronto and co-chair of the Anti-Black Racism Task Force.

Community members can learn more about this important initiative and the ways they can provide their input, through the project website at www.HOPE-Strategy.com.

Source: Pride Magazine