Hamilton’s Black population grew by 171% between 2001 and 2021, now representing more than 28,000 residents. Despite this growth, Black community members experience disproportionate outcomes in the criminal justice system and face barriers to culturally responsive mental health and addiction services.

CMHA Hamilton operates a long-standing Mental Health Court Support Program that provides consultation, navigation, case management, diversion, treatment court, and release-from-custody services. As Hamilton’s Black population continues to grow, the demand for tailored mental health supports is expected to rise. However, CMHA Hamilton currently has no Black leadership within the organization.

To address this gap, CMHA Hamilton, in partnership with the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC), is co-designing a Black Mental Health Program, funded by Ontario Health West.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Culturally responsive services: Co-designed with the Black community to improve accessibility and relevance.

• Anti-Black racism training: An evidence-based, trauma-informed online module for clinicians, followed by small-group professional development to apply learning in practice.

• Black leadership and staffing: Dedicated client-facing and leadership positions to reflect and support the community.

• Peer support and outreach: Recovery-focused programming and co-designed supports for Black community members.

• Program evaluation: Ongoing assessment of access, experience, and outcomes, with findings shared through a Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) event.

The Anti-Black Racism Education for Clinicians Module is a cornerstone of this work. It addresses structural racism, implicit bias, cultural humility, and racial trauma, while equipping providers with practical tools to respond to discrimination and microaggressions in clinical practice.

Through this initiative, CMHA Hamilton seeks to build accessible, culturally responsive services; embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in practice; and improve mental health outcomes for Hamilton’s Black residents.

Research Objectives:

1. Advance equity, inclusion, and diversity by addressing anti-Black racism through an intersectional approach to community mental health and addictions care.

2. Co-design and deliver services tailored by and for Black communities, with a focus on Black African and Caribbean adults.

3. Gather staff feedback on the training module to refine and enhance its relevance for providers serving Black communities.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Doors Open, Guest Arrival, & Light Refreshments.

1:30 PM – 1:35 PM

Event Opening. Welcome remarks and land acknowledgement.

By Lyndon George | HARRC

1:35 PM – 2:00 PM

Fireside Chat: Activating the Community

Acknowledge OH funders. Discussion on improving Black health outcomes through rapid community engagement, co-design of mental health programs, and anti-Black racism practices. 

By Sue Phipps, Sandra Cabral, Francis Joaquim, Dr. Sean Park | CMHA Hamilton

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Mental Healthcare

Didactic presentation and case vignette discussion exploring structural racism, inequities in mental health access for Black communities, and strategies for allyship and trauma-informed approaches.

By Dr. Suzanne Archie | McMaster University

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Confronting Anti-Black Racism Together

Conversation on lessons learned from addressing anti-Black racism in healthcare, challenges, and opportunities. 

By Dr. Ameil J. Joseph | McMaster University

3:30 PM

Event Closing. End of event survey and closing remarks. 

By Sue Phipps | CMHA Hamilton