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Anti-black Racism and Mental Health
Black People United for Change exists to advocate, protect, and uplift the Canadian Black Diaspora. Our work is grounded in the understanding that anti-Black racism is not isolated to one system or sector—it is embedded across education, employment, housing, healthcare, child welfare, policing, and the justice system. Because of this reality, we actively lobby for legislative change that would provide meaningful, enforceable protections for Black people living in Canada who face anti-Black racism in every sector of society.
Advocacy, however, is not only about policy—it is also about people.
We believe that the well-being of Black Canadians must be addressed holistically, and that includes acknowledging how anti-Black racism impacts mental health. The daily experience of discrimination, exclusion, and systemic barriers creates chronic stress, trauma, and emotional exhaustion. Too often, these realities are minimized or ignored, leaving Black individuals and families to navigate harm without adequate support.
At Black People United for Change, we place strong emphasis on education and awareness. Understanding how racism affects mental wellness is a critical step toward healing and resilience. To strengthen our capacity to support the community, we have studied evidence-based approaches that empower families affected by substance use problems, recognizing how systemic stressors, trauma, and marginalization can contribute to substance-related challenges within families.
We have also examined the growing connection between climate change and mental health, particularly how environmental instability, displacement, and uncertainty disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including Black Canadians. Climate anxiety, loss, and stress are mental health concerns that cannot be separated from social inequities.
In addition to advocacy and education, we provide direct support. Our volunteers deliver emotional support through our emotional support platform, and they are certified in Psychological First Aid. This means they are trained to support individuals experiencing crisis—whether related to racism, grief, financial stress, family challenges, substance use, or other life-altering circumstances—with compassion, dignity, and care.
Black People United for Change is committed to building a Canada where Black lives are protected by law, supported by systems, and valued in practice—not just in words. Through legislative advocacy, community education, and emotional support, we continue to stand with the Canadian Black Diaspora in the pursuit of justice, wellness, and lasting change.
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Black People United for Change recently conducted an interview with Dr. Jan Mendez of the University of Amsterdam, whose research centers on the psychological toll of anti-Black racism and its profound effects on mental health.
The conversation was both illuminating and deeply sobering, shedding light on how persistent exposure to racism can contribute to depression, suicidal ideation, and heightened risk of suicide among Black individuals.
Dr. Mendez emphasized that anti-Black racism is not a single event but a chronic stressor—one that accumulates over time. From overt acts of discrimination to subtle, daily microaggressions, Black people are often forced to navigate environments that question their humanity, competence, and right to belong.
According to her research, this continuous exposure places Black individuals at increased risk for mental health challenges, particularly when systems meant to protect and support them fail to do so.
During the interview, Dr. Mendez explained how racism-related stress can disrupt emotional regulation, self-worth, and hope for the future.
Over time, this can manifest as persistent sadness, isolation, anxiety, and depression. For some, especially those who lack access to culturally safe mental health care or community support, these feelings can deepen into suicidal thoughts. Dr. Mendez was clear: these outcomes are not the result of individual weakness, but rather the consequence of living within systems that normalize harm against Black people.
One of the most difficult parts of the discussion addressed the painful reality that some Black individuals come to view suicide as an escape from unrelenting racial trauma. Dr. Mendez stressed that this is a reflection of systemic failure, not personal failure.
When racism infiltrates schools, workplaces, healthcare, housing, and the justice system, and when those experiences are repeatedly dismissed or minimized, despair can take root.
The interview also highlighted the importance of naming anti-Black racism as a public health issue. Dr. Mendez noted that mental health interventions must go beyond individual treatment and include structural change.
This means addressing discriminatory policies, improving access to culturally responsive mental health care, and creating environments where Black people are believed, protected, and valued.
At Black People United for Change, this interview reinforces why our advocacy work matters. Lobbying for legislative protections, educating communities about the mental health impacts of racism, and providing emotional support through trained volunteers are all critical steps toward prevention and healing.
Silence and denial cost lives; awareness, action, and care can save them.
We share this conversation in honor of those who have been lost and in commitment to those still navigating the weight of anti-Black racism.
Healing requires truth, accountability, and collective responsibility.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, support is available. In Canada, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7. You are not alone, and help is always within reach.