Wednesday 20 November 2024
Ontario’s first Coordinated Mental Health and Substance-use Health service for Black youth
by Bo Turpin, Executive Director, Upstream Ottawa
Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support’s Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY), launched in early 2021, represents a significant step forward in addressing the unique mental health and substance use challenges faced by Black youth in the Ottawa area. As a specialized, population specific, program under the Upstream Ottawa banner, SAPACCY is part of a broader network of initiatives across Ontario, offering culturally responsive and trauma-informed care tailored to the needs of Black youth.
In Canada, Black youth face unique challenges that can impact their mental health and well-being, including systemic racism, cultural stigma surrounding mental health, and a number of barriers to accessing the appropriate level of support they want and need. SAPACCY recognizes these issues and aims to provide a safe, culturally affirming space for Black youth to seek help and support.
One of SAPACCY’s key strengths is its commitment to culturally responsive care. The program employs Black clinicians who understand the cultural nuances and experiences of Black lives lived in a Euro-dominant culture, thus helping to build trust and rapport with clients. Utilizing an Africentric lens ensures that treatment and support are provided in a context that respects and understands the cultural background of the youth it serves, recognizing the impact of intergenerational trauma, the importance of community in healing, and the important role that cultural elements play in their mental health and their relationships with substance-use.
SAPACCY offers a wide range of services to support Black youth dealing with mental health and substance use issues, including:
- Individual counseling and psychotherapy
- Substance use support
- Group therapy sessions
- Comprehensive assessments and treatment planning
- Crisis intervention
The program takes a holistic approach to care, addressing not just immediate concerns but also considering broader psychosocial and cultural factors impacting youth well-being.
By providing this specialized approach, SAPACCY helps to address systemic barriers that have historically prevented Black youth from accessing appropriate mental health and substance-use services. The program recognizes that standard approaches may not always be effective for this population and instead offers tailored interventions that consider their unique experiences and challenges.
The introduction of SAPACCY in Ottawa has significant implications for the local Black community. It provides a much-needed resource for youth who may have previously felt unseen or misunderstood by the mainstream mental health system. SAPACCY helps to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use in the Black community, encouraging more youth to seek information and support when needed. Moreover, the program’s focus on family support recognizes the important role that families and caregivers play in the lives of Black youth. By offering support groups and resources for families, SAPACCY helps to create a more supportive environment for youth as they work at maintaining or reclaiming their well-being.
SAPACCY is connected to a larger network of similar initiatives in 7 other sites across Ontario, soon to be 9 other sites, including locations in Scarborough, Toronto, Black Creek, Peel, Hamilton, and Windsor. This network represents a substantial investment in the mental health and well-being of Black youth across the province. The expansion of SAPACCY to multiple locations came after years of advocacy by community organizations and mental health professionals, recognizing the need for specialized, culturally adaptive and affirming mental health and substance-use health services for Black youth beyond major urban centers.
While SAPACCY represents a significant step forward, challenges remain. The demand for culturally responsive mental health services often outstrips available resources, and there are difficulties in reaching all youth who could benefit from the program. Moving forward, continued support and funding for programs like SAPACCY is crucial. Ongoing research and evaluation is constantly underway to ensure that the program continues to meet the evolving needs of Black youth in Ottawa and across Ontario.
In conclusion, Upstream Ottawa’s SAPACCY program represents a unique and crucial resource for Black youth in the local community, as it addresses longstanding gaps in mental health and substance-use services for African diaspora and their youth. For Black youth in Ottawa, SAPACCY means having access to care that truly understands and respects their experiences and cultural background. It offers the opportunity to seek support without fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Most importantly, it provides hope – hope for overcoming challenges, finding healing, and a future where their mental health and well-being are prioritized and supported.
SAPACCY continues to grow and evolve, soon adopting the name AMANI Services, in an effort to contemporize and destigmatize its name. Nevertheless, it continues to make a significant positive impact on the lives of Black youth in Ottawa, helping them build resilience, overcome challenges, and thrive in their communities.