Understanding Africentric Approaches to Black Mental Health & Well-Being

The OCASI Mental Health Promotion Project (MHP) is pleased to invite you to: Understanding Africentric Approaches to Black Mental Health & Well-Being

About this Training

Understanding Africentric Approaches to Black Mental Health and Well-Being is an interactive, evidence-based training aimed at improving service provider capacities to support Black mental health within diverse social service settings. 

Through the training, service providers will gain knowledge on the intersections of Black mental health, racial trauma and the impact of anti-Black racism in Canada. With a key focus on Africentric approaches to social work and psychotherapy, the training will provide insights on African-centered value systems, interventions and practices that facilitate culturally affirming care for African, Caribbean and Black-identified (ACB) clients. 

Key Objectives:

• Explore the nuanced intergenerational impacts of racial aggressions, trauma and anti-Black racism on ACB mental health in Canada.
• Address gaps in Canadian service delivery models that impede client-centred care for Black-identified clients. 
• Enhance understanding of Africentric values, knowledge systems and evidence-based interventions. 
• Strengthen intersectional approaches for holistic, culturally affirming programs and therapeutic supports. 

About the facilitator:

Amma Gyamfowa is a Ghanaian-Canadian mental health therapist, registered social worker, community researcher, writer and international speaker. Engaged in the field of social work for the last ten years, her expertise is rooted in supporting and counselling Black and racialized communities. With a demonstrated history of meaningful program development and research, she has advanced and strengthened the impact of diverse youth programs and initiatives across Ontario.

A contributing writer to the first Africentric Social Work textbook in Canada, she is an expert in Black mental health and an advocate for culturally affirming, trauma-informed and healing-centred approaches. Through creating renowned trainings Amma seeks to improve the accessibility of wellness services for African, Caribbean and Black-identified communities in Canada, Ghana and across the diaspora.

*Registration deadline: June 14, 2024

If you have any questions, please contact Caley Cross (she/her) at: ccross@ocasi.org