City of Toronto proclaims Black Mental Health Week and highlights systemic impacts of anti-Black racism

TORONTO – Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, has officially proclaimed Black Mental Health Week in Toronto from today until Sunday, March 9.

This year’s theme of “Joy as Resistance” highlights the transformative power of joy and resilience in combatting the systemic impacts of anti-Black racism. Joy will be observed as a celebration of identity, community and the strength to thrive amidst systemic challenges. This year’s taglines, Celebrating Black Joy and Resilience, Choosing Hope and Joy in a Challenging World and Reclaiming Power Through Laughter emphasize the importance of mental health as a foundation for collective healing and empowerment.

Throughout the week, events organized and hosted by the City and Black-serving community organizations will delve into issues around anti-Black racism and mental health while providing knowledge and tools to support positive change.

Black Mental Health Week 2025 IS HERE!

Join us from March 3-9 as we celebrate Joy as Resistance, centering Black mental wellness through art, discussions, film, and comedy! #BMHW2025 #JoyAsResistance

Full details: https://t.co/1U4dVnvu9S pic.twitter.com/gSQpXww5J5

— City of Toronto Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit (@CABR_Toronto) March 3, 2025

These events aim to facilitate discussion and cultivate greater awareness of the impacts of systemic anti-Black racism on Black communities, families and individuals. Events include but are not limited to:

•       Opening Ceremony: Featuring a Black youth art exhibit, showcasing creativity as a reflection of experiences with mental health, resilience and identity. The exhibit will be on display in the City Hall Rotunda from Monday, March 3 to Thursday, March 6.
•       Film Screening: A special screening of a powerful documentary showcasing the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) and its impact on mental health crisis response.
•       Panel Discussion: A panel discussion entitled “Black Mental Health and the Contemporary Legacies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery: Joy, Healing and Resistance for the Next Decade” will address the long-lasting impacts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on Black mental health.
•       Conference: Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conference exploring the mental health challenges and resilience of Black men through engaging discussions and wellness-focused activities.
•       Closing Event: Offering a unique and interactive experience that explores culture and comedy as tools for mental wellness.

More information about these events and others can be found on the Black Mental Health Week website: www.blackmentalhealthweek.ca.

In 2020, the City officially declared the first Monday of March as Toronto’s first Black Mental Health Day. Expanded to a week in 2021, Black Mental Health Week now occurs annually during the first full week of March. The week provides more opportunities to foster awareness of the mental health impacts of anti-Black racism on Toronto’s Black communities.

The week fulfills actions outlined within the inaugural five-year Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, advancing actions that work to expand mental health services, replicate effective Black-led health models and educate the public on how anti-Black racism affects mental health.

The week is also a call to action for continued efforts to dismantle anti-Black racism, and for increased supports and improved access for Black communities to culturally responsive mental health services and programs. The Toronto Community Crisis Service, for example, represents a fundamental shift in mental health crisis response and a milestone in the City’s work to address systemic anti-Black racism.

Black Mental Health Week 2025 is a collaborative effort led by the City and TAIBU Community Health Centre, with support from Black Health Alliance, Strides Toronto and numerous participating community partners hosting activations citywide.

More information on the significance of Black Mental Health Week can be found on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/anti-black-racism-mental-health.

Quotes:
“Everyone should have access to culturally-safe mental health care. One in five Canadians struggle with mental health challenges and Black communities find it even more challenging to access high-quality care. We must work together with all levels of government and Black community leaders to ensure Black individuals can access the care that reflects their unique needs and experiences.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

SOURCE City of Toronto

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