Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Anti-Black Racism

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 and not just in words.

Black People United for Change is now listed as an emotional support resource on the 211 website.

If you are in need of emotional support, please visit us at: https://tawk.to/chat/6918d00cbc823c195a338e5a/1ja4epce0?fbclid=IwY2xjawO-RwZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWa2lFanBvcTJ0dzJIWmp2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnjV7UIfitb2j7beoA9JgdB4yqsluqoVUt9b4zrpgLoJwInMMKjoLn6M8P3O_aem_UcvnTn1Y0lYuggtNAGH63g

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.