Photo credit: Tony-Gad Mwina
Friday 7 March 2025
Community Expo sheds light on mental health challenges for Ottawa’s Black community
by Godwin Ifedi, Editor
As part of the Ottawa Black Mental Health week, the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition (OBMHC), with its partners, hosted a Community Expo, at the Ron Kolbus Centre, to discuss mental health issues that face the city’s African, Caribbean and Black community. The theme for this discourse was aptly named : For Community By Community, to demonstrate the need for the Black community to take responsibility for its mental health, and to highlight the role community-led grassroots organization play in this process. With OBMHC Executive Board member Dr. Jacklyn St. Laurent as moderator, an array of speakers gave voice to key elements of maintaining and sustaining good mental health.
The day started with a panel discussion involving four community leaders and stakeholders: Joanne Robinson, Executive Director and Founder, Flo’s Seniors; Erica Kamikazi, Community Engagement Coordinator , Ottawa Public Health; Eb Amponsah, Coordinator, SAPACCY Program, Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community; and Godwin Ifedi, Settlement Counsellor, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and Board member, Black History Ottawa. Each panel member spoke of their lived experience in response to the following questions:
- Tell us a little about your work and why you were inspired to do this kind of
work.
⦁ Why is a sense of community important to you and your work?
⦁ What is the best way to connect with community members and the different
groups you work with?
⦁ How do you feel when you are out there, working with people?
⦁ What would you say to someone who is facing challenges now?
⦁ What do you want people to know about your work or organization?
This was followed by an inspirational meditation “sound bath” session led by Montreal-based Fimo, with the theme: “When the Village Meditates, We heal We thrive Together”.
A hip hop rap performance by the three-member Move Kids Dance livened up the day, bringing many participants to their feet, as they swayed and rocked to the beat of this teenage music genre. Move is a professional Street Dance Company run by Alea de Castro and Arnaldo
Betancourt Silva.
The highlight of the day was a slide presentation by Dr. Chris Oseh, titled: Mental Health and Wellness Strategies, a physician coach and employee wellness coach, specializing in guiding healthcare professionals and organizations toward lasting health, resilience, and fulfillment. Using scientific evidence-based techniques, including his own personal lived experience, Dr. Oseh guided the audience on strategies to reduce or eliminate stress and burnout, rebuild their energy, and regain control of their lives, without sacrificing their mental and physical health. A question and and answer session enabled the audience to share some of their personal challenges in managing stress and maintaining good mental health.
Among the exhibitors were: Somerset West Community Health Centre; Somali Centre for Family Services; ACB Wellness Resource Centre; Flo’s Seniors; Ottawa Public Health; Easter Ottawa Resource Centre; African Canadian Association of Ottawa; Canadian Women of Colour Leadership Network. Lunch was provided by Chef Resa at Baccanalle, with complimentary smoothies by Kahmaria Pingue.
