Liben Gebremikael is the executive Director of Taibu Community Health center in Toronto. With more than 20 years of experience in social services mental health and health care management, Liben has become one of the most notable black leaders in Toronto. He has been one of the prime movers of anti-Black racism movements in Toronto. His organization TAIBU, partnered with the city of Toronto to designate a Black Mental Health Week (BMHW)in Toronto. This year, the event will be held between March 7-11. Ethiofidel.com had conversations with Mr. Liben Gebremikael about the event and its significance to the Black communities in Toronto.
Ethiofidel: Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about the evolution of Black Mental Health week(BMHW) in Toronto?
Liben My name is Liben Gebremikael and I am the Executive Director of TAIBU Community Health Centre. The Black Mental Health Day (but now Week), started with our partnership with the City of Toronto in 2019 when they partnered with TAIBU to develop a campaign as part of the Toronto for All Campaign in raising awareness around the impact of anti-Black racism and mental health in Black communities. TAIBU brought together a number of community stakeholders to design this campaign and we wanted to ensure that the campaign was not going to be a one-off event taking place in February and that is it.
The impact of anti-Black racism on the health and wellbeing of Black Canadians is systemic and deep rooted and needs more that just a month of awareness campaign. Our continued conversation with the City led to the proclamation of the first Monday in March as Black Mental Health Day in 2020 and the first week of March as Black Mental Health Week in 2021.
Even though a week is not enough to bring awareness on 400 years of oppression and discrimination that has impacted the Black communities in our society, it is a good beginning to keep the conversation, discussion and engagement alive and up front.
Ethiofidel BMHW will be held March 7-11, 2022. Can you tell us about the events lined up?
Liben There are several events that have been planned. This year TAIBU is also partnering with Strides Toronto and Tropicana Community Services – two significant organizations offering services to youth and Black communities. Details of the events can be referred from this website https://blackmentalhealthweek.ca/
Ethiofidel What is the significance of having a designated week for Black Mental Health in Toronto?
Liben As mentioned earlier, Mental Health is a significant barrier to many members of the Black communities. First, it is important that we as community members talk among each other about the challenges that we face without stigma so we can access and receive the right service at the right time, preferably early on so we can either prevent or intervene early. Secondly, this is also a good occasion to engage institutions and mental health service agencies to bring to their attention the particular challenges the Black communities face and the need for a culturally responsive and safe service delivery that considers the culture and lived experiences of the diverse Black communities. Thirdly, it is also an opportunity to raise the awareness for governments (federal, provincial and municipal) so we can address bigger, systemic issues such as policy, funding and long-term strategies.
Ethiofidel Why is Mental health awareness more important in the Black community?
Liben Like many other health and social status outcomes, we are not doing well when it comes to mental health measure outcomes. Several studies have shown that Black communities have a 60% more chance of being impacted by severe mental health issues such as psychosis. We also know that it takes longer for members of the Black communities to access any support system. Mental health is a taboo and stigmatizes the engagement of many of community members.
The ‘first responders’ who are usually faith-based organizations are not well engaged and included in the support system network and hence either do not have the capacity to serve people who are experiencing mental health problems adequately or because of the lack of relationship with the mental health service sector cannot assist in providing a culturally and spiritually holistic support to members of the community.
There is a lot of work and planning required. There is a lot of advocacy required. All these start with a meaningful conversation. That is what we do during Black Mental Health Week.
Ethiofidel Any messages to the community regarding mental health?
Liben Yes, Mental Health is serious. To be impacted by mental health challenges is Okay. We face a lot of barriers and obstacles in our life and in the life of our children or elders. Mental illness is not a weakness. It is not something that we should be ashamed of or feel guilty about.
The system that we live in, the racism and discrimination that we face on a regular basis, our environment and social status and particularly the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, are all detrimental factors to our health and wellbeing including our mental health. Speak out! Reach out! Do not live with it alone! Do not fight with it alone! Build a strong support network around you!
Together we can stand strong!
Ethiofidel: Can you suggest some of the Black serving Mental health service providers to community members?
Liben There are several organizations out there serving the African Caribbean Black communities
Just to mention some of them, TAIBU, Across Boundaries, Cafcan, Black Creek CHC, Rexdale CHC, SAPACCY program at CAMH (and now will be in various centres in the province).
Thank you for taking the time for the interview with ethiofidel.
