IMARA Well-Being Toolkit
A guide to navigating the mental health of Black youth
WELCOME
This Toolkit is a first-of-its-kind: an African-centred guide for Black youth’s mental health in Canada, created by youth in partnership with community organizations. This groundbreaking initiative was developed through the IMARA Generation Project, a collaboration between TAIBU Community Health Centre and their Youth Advisory Committee. Its goal is to provide culturally sensitive and comprehensive information to address the unique mental health needs of Black youth.
Above all, the IMARA Well-being Toolkit is peer-led and peer-designed, driven by youth aged 15-24 in the Greater Toronto Area who identify as Black, African, or Caribbean descent, and understand first-hand the challenges in accessing culturally competent care.
Funders:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Partners:
- Black Creek Community Health Centre
Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director
Joesiann Nelson, Director
Patrick Shaw, Coordinator
Richelle Nelson, Youth Peace Ambassador - Rexdale Community Health Centre
Safia Ahmed, Executive Director
Tanya Iskierski, Manager - Women’s Health in Women’s Hands
Lori-Ann Green Walker, Executive Director
Wangari Tharao, Director of Research and Programs - Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Angela Robertson, Executive Director - LAMP Community Health Centre (or East Mississauga CHC)
Keddone Dias, Executive Director
Jacqueline St.Kitts Myers, Director of Community Programs
IMARA Generation Project Staff:
- Maymuna Mohamed, Project Coordinator
- Natasha Darko, Former Project Coordinator
- Christiana Oladehinde, Administrative Assistant and Program Facilitator
External Consultants:
- Simone Donaldson, Former Mental Health Consultant
- Neil Price, Project Evaluator
- Lilia Esi Aya, Curriculum Developer, Trainer, Curator
- Carine Diverlus, Mental Health Consultant
- Winnie Diverlus, Francophone Mental Health Consultant
TAIBU Staff:
- Liben Gebremikael, Executive Director
- Phil Johnson, Manager Community Services & Systems Change
- Augustine Obeng, SAPACCY Social Worker
- Shawna Williams, LEARN Academic Mentorship Coordinator
Youth Advisory Committee:
Aniya Lyttle
Brittany Morrison
Chiamaka Akadinma
Christiana Ogunye-Oladehinde
Dequana Simmonds
Elizabeth Agyei
Jahnae Lyttle
Jonathan Samuels
Judith Ogobor
Lakeya Matthews
Latanya Pinnock
Leighana Mullings
Mariah Rodriguez-Imbarlina
Nathan President
Nicholas Henry
Petra Amoako
Safiya Keita
Sauda Keita
Sheerel Gordon
Tannaz Rashid
Tessy Obasuyi
Victor Adarquah
Francophone Youth Advisory Committee
Abigaelle Matondo
Ariel Zoulo
Benachour Mohamed
Cassandra Toutou
Eric Ouattara
Hamid Nassour
Amadou Mahaman laminou
Xmael Yeo
Chelsea-Ariel Dibula
Elvire Agossou
Volunteers:
Sarah Nkouta
Summer Students:
Maya Goldyes
Lathania Lewis
Parents and Caregivers:
Uzonna Iheme
Norma Nicholson
S. Hanley
Coleen Jackson
Margaret Elizabeth Nelo
Sam Asiamah
Carolee Douglas
Valerie Williams
Gerard Meade
Lara Adekanye-Awoleye
Tinisha Granville
Philip Edwards
Anita Rajroop
Dawn Craigg
Karen Harris
Hanan Isse
Lenora Cayenne
Rob Taylor
Faith-based Institutions and Organizations:
Tariq Mosque
Digital Sisterhood Podcast
West Toronto Church of God
Ignite Counselling Services
Warden Full Gospel Assembly
(Church)
Guest Facilitators and Speakers:
Ahmahkyah
Gerda Boateng
Kaidie Williams
Akeem Raphael
Tracey Kayy
Michelle Nicholls
UNBLIND
Dr. Leo Edwards
Ryan Fuentes
Testimonials
There is a lack of resources created for the Black community, so this program fills a huge gap – it considers the systemic racism we face every day in school and in society. When I was in the room, I realized others struggled with similar questions I was wondering about for years, and this was where we were finding the answers.
I got to hear the lived experiences of others. Learn, connect, and be more empathetic of their wellbeing, their individual challenges, and understand the depths of institutional racism. It’s truly a life changing experience. This experience was education and community beyond anything else offered anywhere else
Meet Members of the Youth Advisory Committee
Meet Dequana
Dequana is passionate about supporting newcomers and is interested in learning more about immigration policy. She loves to write, and visit museums and galleries. In times when she wasn’t able to go to therapy due to the stigma of mental health problems, she enjoyed writing. Her belief about mental health was formed through experience, cultural traditions, and stories from friends and family. Her writing has helped her to realize that talking about your mental health is not a weakness, but also a way to heal yourself. She has learned that it is important to be able to express oneself in different ways, since speaking and writing help us to share our own experiences. Talking helps people to feel and understand how you feel.
