Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Black Legacy and Leadership in Mental Health and Addictions 

This Black History Month, we honour the theme “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations” by recognizing the incredible contributions of Black leaders who have reshaped the mental health and addictions space in Canada. These trailblazers have challenged systemic barriers, fought stigma, and provided transformative care to their communities, leaving a legacy of resilience and hope. 

Reflecting on Black Mental Health and Addictions in Canada 

Black Canadians continue to face unique challenges when it comes to mental health and addictions. Systemic racism, underrepresentation in healthcare, and a lack of culturally responsive services create barriers to access and support. Black youth are overrepresented in child welfare and correctional systems, which increases their vulnerability to mental health challenges. Despite these hurdles, Black leaders and organizations have driven critical change, bridging gaps and providing essential care. 

Several organizations across Canada are doing pioneering work in mental health, including: 

• Black Health Alliance 

• The Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health 

• Black Mental Health Alliance 

Here are some inspiring figures whose work has left an indelible mark on the mental health and addictions landscape in Canada: 

• Lincoln MacCauley Alexander PC CC OOnt CD QC (January 21, 1922 – October 19, 2012) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who became the first Black Canadian to be a member of Parliament in the House of Commons, a federal Cabinet Minister (as federal Minister of Labour), a Chair of the Worker’s Compensation Board of Ontario, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. Alexander was also a governor of the Canadian Unity Council.
• Dr. McKenzie is a globally recognized expert in social determinants of health, equity, and mental health. As CEO of the Wellesley Institute and a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), he has championed research and policies that address systemic inequities in mental healthcare. Dr. McKenzie’s work has been instrumental in creating more inclusive, culturally informed approaches to mental health. 
• Author and activist Robyn Maynard has shone a light on the systemic racism that impacts Black Canadians’ access to equitable healthcare, including mental health services. Her book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present has sparked national conversations about systemic inequities, urging policymakers to address disparities in healthcare and social systems. 
• An actor, producer, and mental health advocate, Ngozi Paul uses her platform to highlight mental health issues in Black communities. Her work, including the play The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely, explores the intersections of race, mental health, and healing, fostering dialogue and breaking stigma through the arts. 
• Jay Pitter, MES, is an award-winning placemaker whose practice mitigates growing divides in cities across North America. She spearheads institutional city-building projects specializing in public space design and policy, forgotten densities, mobility equity, gender-responsive design, inclusive public engagement and healing fraught sites. What distinguishes Jay is her multidisciplinary approach, located at the nexus of urban design and social equity, which translates community insights and aspirations into the built environment. 
• The Black Mental Health Alliance of Canada (BMHAC): This organization has been a driving force in advocating for culturally specific mental health services for Black communities. BMHAC provides workshops, community outreach programs, and research initiatives that address the unique needs of Black Canadians. 

While we celebrate the achievements of these leaders, it’s vital to reflect on how we can all contribute to a future of mental health and addictions care in the Black community. 

Here’s how you can support Black mental health and addictions: 

💡 Educate Yourself: Learn about the unique challenges Black Canadians face and how systemic racism affects mental health and addiction services. 

🤝 Support Black-Led Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups like the Black Mental Health Alliance of Canada or other local initiatives. 

📣 Advocate for Change: Call for systemic reforms to address disparities in healthcare and social services. 

🛍️ Invest in Black-Owned Businesses: Strengthen the economic well-being of Black communities by shopping Black-owned. 

👂🏾 Listen and Amplify Voices: Create safe spaces for Black individuals to share their experiences and needs. We want to honour and recognize the great diversity that exists within Black communities. 

While Black History Month is a time of celebration, it is also a moment to reflect on Canada’s painful history and the distinct challenges Black communities continue to face today, including systemic racism, discrimination, and barriers to equitable healthcare. These challenges often extend to mental health and addictions, where Black Canadians face unique struggles. Here are some facts we can’t ignore: 

🔹 Discrimination and stigma are significant barriers to accessing mental health care for Black Canadians. Black individuals often face systemic racism within healthcare systems, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health issues. 

🔹 In Ontario, Black adults are disproportionately impacted by mental health challenges due to historical and ongoing inequities, including income inequality, housing instability, and discrimination. 

🔹 Black youth are overrepresented in child welfare and correctional systems—factors that increase their risk for mental health and substance use disorders. 

🔹 Despite these challenges, Black communities are underrepresented in mental health services, and culturally appropriate care is often lacking. 

This Black History Month, we not only celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black leaders but also recommit ourselves to addressing the inequities that persist in mental health and addiction care. By uplifting Black voices and taking actionable steps, we can honour the legacy of those who have come before us while building a more equitable future for all. 

Let’s continue to celebrate, reflect, and advocate together. Support your Black friends, family and communities outside of this month. 24/7, 365 days of the year.