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BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“In Africa the medicine for wellness is found in our music and our movements. This grant sets up Afiwi Groove School to connect and empower community members of all ages through dance and music from Africa and the Caribbean.” Afiwi Groove School
We speak of mental health. It’s become a buzzword, a familiar phrase in our African Caribbean spaces. We hear the talk, the acknowledgments, the well-intentioned nods. Yet, the shadows persist.
The burdens we carry, the traumas we inherit, the silent struggles—they don’t vanish with a hashtag, or a fleeting conversation. We’re caught in a loop, acknowledging the problem while the problem festers. We’re saying the words, but are we truly building the bridges? Are we creating the change?
It’s time to move beyond the rhetoric, beyond the surface, and confront the reality that our community deserves more than just talk. We deserve action, healing, and real, tangible progress.
“”Bell Let’s Talk continues to make progress on moving mental health forward in Canada”
I had an incredible discussion with Patricia Garcia, Manager of Public Affairs at Bell about the importance of delivering community-based care – which looks, sounds and moves differently among each of this country’s distinct communities.
We were able to talk in depth about mental health for those of the Black diaspora in Canada, and the fact that research has long shown that we as a community remain underserved in health care – and particularly mental health care.
Introducing the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund
She then shared with me that Bell Let’s Talk announced $1 million in new grants from the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund to support 11 additional organizations helping to create real change by delivering mental health services to support members of: Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities around Canada.
The Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund supports organizations working to reduce the stigma of mental illness and increase access to culturally informed mental health and well-being support for BIPOC communities. They have provided 60 grants to recipients since the Fund’s launch in 2020.
In 2025, Bell will give $10 million towards mental health, bringing its total Bell Let’s Talk investment to $184 million since 2010. “Bell Let’s Talk continues to make progress on moving mental health forward in Canada,” shares Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “But there’s more to be done to address barriers to accessing culturally relevant and appropriate mental health services and supports. The Diversity Fund grant recipients announced play a crucial role in providing essential supports and services tailored to meet the diverse communities they serve. We’re proud to support these organizations in making real, positive change for people struggling with mental health issues.”
Let’s give it up for the 2024 Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund grant recipients:
- Afiwi Groove School
- Canadian Mental Health Association Montréal Branch
- Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association (CDNBCA)
- CDFM huron-wendat
- Ogimaawabiitong – Kenora Chiefs Advisory
- Malton Women Council (MWC)
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Inc.
- Mokami Status of Women Council
- Nahanni Butte Dene Band
- Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
- Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council (YAWC)
The journey towards mental wellness is ongoing, and the organizations supported by the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund are providing crucial support and guidance. Their work offers a lifeline to individuals and families navigating the complexities of mental health challenges.
In the face of an epidemic that has reshaped our social reality, we stand at a pivotal moment. While the challenges persist, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the: resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication of the organizations that have tirelessly worked to mitigate the impact of this crisis.
Specifically, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund. Their visionary support has been instrumental in dismantling barriers and fostering culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care. By recognizing the diverse needs of our communities, they have empowered organizations to bridge gaps and provide vital resources that resonate across cultural landscapes.
As we move forward, it is imperative that we not only continue to support these invaluable organizations, but also deepen our understanding of their services. Researching and engaging with their resources is a proactive step in empowering ourselves and our loved ones along our own mental health journeys. By becoming informed and connected, we can ensure that the support we need is readily available, fostering a culture of proactive mental wellness.
The challenges we have faced have underscored the importance of community, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the human capacity for resilience. Let us honour this resilience by building a future where mental wellness is a fundamental right, accessible to all, and supported by our communities across Canada.
REFERENCES:
https://www.mokamiwomen.ca/home/
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We, as humans are guaranteed certain things in life: stressors, taxes, bills and death are the first thoughts that pop to mind. It is not uncommon that many people find a hard time dealing with these daily life stressors, and at times will find themselves losing control over their lives. Simone Jennifer Smith’s great passion is using the gifts that have been given to her, to help educate her clients on how to live meaningful lives. The Hear to Help Team consists of powerfully motivated individuals, who like Simone, see that there is a need in this world; a need for real connection. As the founder and Director of Hear 2 Help, Simone leads a team that goes out into the community day to day, servicing families with their educational, legal and mental health needs.Her dedication shows in her Toronto Caribbean newspaper articles, and in her role as a host on the TCN TV Network.
