Mental Health, Community, Defund the police/Prisoner Rights and Legal Supports
Mental Health, Community, Defund the police/Prisoner Rights and Legal Supports
In creating resources for the May 25, 2021 screening of Unapologetic presented by @Jayucanada and in recognition of George Floyd’s murder on May 25th, 2020, we gathered community and mental health support with a focus on supporting Black and Indigenous community services in the Greater Toronto Area. As Canadians, we recognize that systemic barriers and oppression of marginalized people are not limited to the United States. The racial and social injustices have occured long before and have continued since Floyd’s murder.
We gathered these as a form of resource sharing and to support one another through these social/community workers and mental health professionals services. The list includes those who provide sliding scale, low cost or free community supports.
To read their names and stories of Canadians harmed by police see, we are highlighting articles from Desmond Cole and Pryscence Magazine: Remembering Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Colour killed by Canadian police and Remembering 27 Black, Indigenous, and racialized people killed by Canadian police
Resources provided below are not the solution for these injustices but the intent is to support those with emotional and community connection.
We know that community care, not re-traumatizing folks and supporting those who experience systemic barriers, are ways we can support one another. We gathered these as a form of resource sharing and to support each other through these social/community workers and mental health professionals services. The list includes those who provide sliding scale, low-cost or free community supports. If you have any to add please contact us to add them.
We’ve sectioned these resources in no particular order. This document can be updated and added to. If you have any that you think we should add, please let us know. We are not linked, sponsored or associated with the organizations or services. Any updates or changes should be addressed to them and kindly notify us so we can update our list.
Please circulate this to your community and credit us. It takes a lot of time and effort to create these resources.
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It is important to note that these resources are community-lead supports and are (they are not the ‘cures’ but community lead supports. The realities of racism, white supremacy and systemic barriers that Black, Indigenous and People of colour face in all parts of the world. We are highlighting Greater Toronto Area resources.
As settlers in Tkaronto, we have benefited from the land and system created before us – that have harmed so many. It is our responsibility to acknowledge, listen and give space to those voices that have been marginalized.
Sections (click to jump to section)
Mental Health
Community
Defund the police, Prisoner Rights and Legal Supports
Mental Health
Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support to former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-800-721-0066
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Within B.C. the KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Toll free 1-800-588-8717
In Saskatchewan based Residential School Crisis Line, 306-522-7494
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Healing and Wellness branch facilitates and coordinates programs, services, and activities to address the holistic needs of Métis people in Ontario at the provincial, regional, and local levels. To us holistic Indigenous health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects of one’s life. Through an understanding of self, a vision of wellness, and a balanced body, mind, and spirit the MNO promotes a vision of health and wellness through the healing continuum. We also offer webinars on a variety of healing and wellness and mental health and addictions related topics. Website: https://www.metisnation.org/programs-and-services/healing-wellness/ Instagram: @metisnationon
Anishnawbe Health Toronto is a fully accredited health centre, accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). AHT’s model of health care is based on Indigenous culture and traditions and as a result, AHT is the only facility in Toronto that cares for Indigenous clients with both western and traditional approaches to health care. Website: https://aht.ca/ Instagram: @supportanishnawbe
Substance Use Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Canadian Youth – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Culturally responsive services for African and Caribbean Canadian youth and their families who are dealing with problem substance use and mental health concerns. Services are offered on an outpatient basis and are accessed at the CAMH Queen St. Site (80 Workman Way, Toronto). Call (416) 535-8501, press 2
Wellnest Therapy offers a diverse range of services, approaches and modalities catered to your needs and preferences.
- Anti-oppressive and anti-racist
- Culturally, spiritually and linguistically appropriate
- Racially diverse group of therapists
Website: https://www.wellnest.ca/ Instagram: @WellnestTherapy
Black Mental Health Matters (a.k.a. BLACK MH MATTERS CANADA INC.) Provide more low-cost therapy for those Black Canadians most in need of healing due to racial trauma, and conduct workshops that educate broader communities on the realities of anti-Black racism. Website: https://www.blackmentalhealthmatters.ca Instagram: @blkmhmatters
The Well Collective – Shifting and decolonizing the wellness narrative. Aims to shift the narrative around wellness by creating a community informed space for us all to learn from each other, heal together, and ultimately create a world of systemic wellness for all by all. Website: https://www.decolonizingwellnessto.com Instagram: @thewellcollectiveto
The Most Nurtured is a community-based wellness by and for Black women/femmes/non-binary in Toronto. The Most Nurtured embraces the diversity of Black identity from those who identify exclusively with African heritage to those who are bi-racial and multi-racial. This space is yours. The Most Nurtured is a LGBTQ+, non-binary and trans-inclusive, and anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial space. Website: https://www.themostnurtured.com/ Instagram: @themostnurtured
The ReiQueer – The ReiQueer works within an anti-exclusionary framework, which prioritizes accessibility and community care for our clients and our communities. In our practice this looks like full transparency, sliding scale or service exchange options for payment, and personalized services available both virtually and in-person. Website: https://www.thereiqueer.com/home Instagram: @thereiqueer
Trinity Connects Improving your health and wellness, offering health and wellness workshops Instagram: @trinity.connects
Across Boundaries Toronto is a ethno-racial community mental health centre providing services to people from marginalized communities facing issues.
Website: https://www.acrossboundaries.ca/ Instagram: @abmentalhealth
Toronto for All: Anti-Black Racism and Black Mental Health https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/96a4-t4a-abr-bmh-resources.pdf
Lifted By Purpose Provides innovative trauma-informed mental health & wellness programs/services using the arts. Website: https://liftedbypurpose.com/ Instagram: @liftedbypurpose
Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. https://blackyouth.ca/ or call at 416-285-9944 or 1-833-BYH-8650 Instagram: @BlackYouthHelpline
Community Supports
Indigenous Health: Toronto Community Resources A list gathered by University of Toronto of GTA resources in support of Indigenous Health. Website: https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/about/life-u-of-t/welcome-to-toronto/indigenous-health-toronto-community-resources/
The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto Our work and direction is guided by the Seven Sacred teachings: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. Our teachings, traditions, and cultures inform all of our activities. The NWRCT is a registered charity funded by government programs as well as public and private donations. Website: https://nwrctportal.ca/live/
The Tkaronto Indigenous Peoples Portal (TIPP) is a response to recommendations made by the local urban Indigenous community in Toronto. The feedback over the years has indicated that folks would like a way to access information to services, events, programs, businesses in a centralized way. Website: https://indigenousto.ca/
Ontario Native Women’s Association The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a not for profit organization to empower and support all Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario through research, advocacy, policy development and programs that focus on local, regional and provincial activities. Website: https://www.onwa.ca/
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) is a national Indigenous organization established in 2005 by the Government of Canada and funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public health renewal and health equity through knowledge translation and exchange. The NCCIH is hosted by the University of Northern BC (UNBC) in Prince George, BC. Website: https://www.nccih.ca/en/
Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre is an autonomous, vibrant cultural agency that involves and serves the Indigenous community with confidence for and commitment to their well-being. Their mission is to provide counselling, material assistance and other direct services to First Nations people as well as to encourage and enhance spiritual and personal growth. Website: http://www.councilfire.ca/
Tropicana Community Services (Scarborough, serves GTA) Agency geared towards youth, newcomers, members of the Caribbean and Black communities and others in need. Provides services including counselling, settlement services, tutoring, youth leadership programs, Success Through Aggression Replacement Training, camps, day care, employment counselling, and youth drop-in. Website: https://tropicanacommunity.org/ or call (416) 439-9009
Roots Community Services (Peel) With a focus on Black, African and Caribbean Canadians, programs are offered from a culturally-appropriate perspective and within an anti-oppression, anti-racism framework. Programs are geared to children aged 6 years to seniors well into their 90s. Learn more about services available for children, youth and families including after-school clubs, summer camp, youth mentoring, Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker program, Black Youth School Success initiative and mental wellness programming. Website: https://rootscs.org/ or call (905) 455-6789
TAIBU Community Health Centre is a multidisciplinary, non-for-profit, community led organization established to serve the Black Community across the Greater Toronto Area as its priority population. Website: http://taibuchc.ca Instagram: @taibu_chc
Black Women in Motion is a Toronto-based, grassroots organization that empowers and supports the advancement of black womxn and survivors of sexual violence. We work within an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework to create culturally-relevant content, educational tools, healing spaces and economic opportunities for black womxn. Website: https://blackwomeninmotion.org/ Instagram: @blackwomeninmotion
Nia Centre is committed to supporting artists working across disciplines, and ranging in experience levels. We strive to build the creative capacities and support the development of a healthy identity in Black youth. We are committed to connecting community members to artistic and cultural experiences, year-round. Website: https://niacentre.org Instagram: @niacentre
Caribbean African Canadian Social Services CAFCAN is a registered charitable organization whose primary focus is on building and strengthening the service framework for African Canadian children, youth and families through culturally safe individual and group counselling supports, case management services, employment services, youth mentorship, and youth outreach programs. Website: https://cafcan.org/ Instagram: @cafcan_org
Women’s Health In Women’s Hands Community Health Centre
Women’s Health In Women’s Hands is a Community Health Centre for racialized women living in Toronto and surrounding municipalities. Our primary health care team of highly skilled health care professionals specialize in the health and wellness needs of racialized women and prioritizes those from African, Caribbean, Latin American and South Asian communities Website: https://www.whiwh.com
The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada. Website: https://blackhealthalliance.ca/ Instagram: @blackhealthcan
Black Creek Community Health Centre A non-profit community-based organization that provides health care services and programs geared to vulnerable populations living in Toronto’s North West communities. Website: https://www.bcchc.com Instagram: @blackcreek_chc
Defund the police, Prisoner Rights and Legal Supports
Reach Out Toronto Response Network – Dedicated to advocating for & building a non-police mental health crisis service in Toronto. Website: https://reachouttoronto.ca/ Instagram: @reachout_to
The Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) is a not-for-profit corporation set up under the laws of Ontario in 2017. BLAC provides free legal services to low and no income Black Ontarians who are facing a legal issue directly related to anti-Black racism. Website: https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca/ Instagram: @BlackLegalActionCentre
Choosing Real Safety A historical declaration to divest from policing and prisons and build safer communities for all. Website: https://www.choosingrealsafety.com/
Toronto Prisoners’s Rights Project We are a volunteer organization of former prisoners, people with loved ones inside, activists, front-line workers, artists, researchers, educators and students. We engage in direct action, public education, and mutual aid to shed light on the harms caused by incarceration and connect prisoners with social, financial, legal and health supports. We are committed to abolition and building sustainable communities rooted in community care, transformative justice, and accountability Website: https://www.torontoprisonersrightsproject.org/ Instagram: @torontoprisonersrightsproject
Defund the Police -Working to connect folxs to Defund the police. Take action by using our one-click tools to send emails, calls, and tweet your local representatives. Website: https://defund.ca/