Ethiopian Canadian Researcher Dr. Haile Fenta honored for outstanding Community based mental health research at a Toronto mental health event organized by Ethio-Can Bridge the Gap.
Dr. Haile received an award for his long-term contribution to the mental wellbeing of the Ethiopian community. The event attendees that packed the event venue in Toronto gave a standing ovation to Dr. Haile Fenta, whose research in mental health spanned more than two decades. He served as a chief medical officer in Ethiopia’s Jimma university prior to coming to Canada where he did his PHD at McGill University and MPH from the united states . Dr. Haile also served at the Toronto’s Center for Addiction and Mental Health services ( CAMH) . He was the president of the Ethiopian Association in the GTA and Surrounding Regions.
The Ontario Associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions MPP Michael Tibollo remarked that the contributions by such veteran researchers lays the foundation to culturally appropriate services in mental health. He stressed the need to pass on knowledge to the next generation. “The time we are spending sharing knowledge with our children is the thing that strengthens the resiliency in kids. When they are confronted with something negative, they will have something to fall back on,” says Minister Tibollo.
The other speakers, including Dr. Kal Belay, Dr. Alpha Abebe and Dr. Yohannes Tadesse shared the sentiment that Dr. Haile’s legacy in mental health advocacy should be emulated by the generations to come.
The Parliamentary Assistant to the minister of Infrastructure MPP Vijay Thanigasalam remarked that such events strengthened the community’s capacity to address mental health issues in a culturally sensitive manner. He announced the government is building a medical school in Scarborough. This school is the first ever medical school in Toronto since 1841.
The African Caribbean and Black (ACB)communities including the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities are disproportionately affected by mental health.
About 60% of ACB community members are at risk of psychosis, whereas 23% of ACB youth are brought in to the mental health system by police.
A presentation at the event by an Ethiopian Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Semir Bulle identified Anti-Black racism, stigma and limited access to care as major factors for this. Dr. Bulle reminded the community to be open to accessing mental health services and utilize community support while being kind to themselves by exercising self care. “Please never feel ashamed to seek help” he says.
In his closing remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of TAIBU community Health center, Mr. Liben Gebremikael stressed the need to continue the conversation around mental health in our communities.
A documentary on Mental health by TAIBU, produced by ethiofidel productions, was launched at the event, followed by a discussion.
In an exclusive interview with ethiofidel, the event organizer, Tsedey Legesse from ethio can bridge the gap said the event has been an excellent platform to bring the community together to discuss mental health issues
The photo exhibit by photo journalist Dawit Tibebeu “ Parts of Me Here and There”, was featured at this event organized as part of the Black Mental Health Week in Toronto.
Read brief biography of Dr. Haile Fenta here
Haile Fenta
Brief biography:
• Epidemiologist with many years of experience in medical research, public health, clinical care, and health services management. I obtained a PhD degree in Epidemiology from McGill University, Canada; MPH from Tulane University, USA; BSc in Public Health and Clinical Medicine from Haile Selassie University, Ethiopia. I also obtained a certificate in Health Services Management from the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute, Tanzania.
• Worked as a research scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a leader in community-based mental health research on social and cultural determinants of mental health and health service use of immigrants in Canada.
• Also worked as Ethno-racial Research Capacity Development Consultant at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, which supports and conducts high quality research to help end the HIV epidemic and shares the best available research evidence with those who can put that knowledge into action.
Served as Co-Director of TAAPP (Toronto Addis Ababa Psychiatry Project).
• Prior experiences (in Ethiopia) include: extensive clinical and public health practice, Provincial Deputy Medical Officer of Health; Provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health; Senior Lecturer; and Chief Administrator of Jimma Health Science Institute – a teaching institute where Medical Doctors and other health professionals were trained. one of the founders of Jimma Health Science Institute, which is now one of the largest Universities in
. Through public participation, established one hospital, two health
canters and many more clinics in Ethiopia.
• Published many scientific articles and authored an epidemiology textbook for medical students in Ethiopia.
• Presented many scientific papers in professional seminars, workshops and conferences.
• Conducted various health related research projects and received awards for excellence in community-based research as well as other professional activities.
• Currently retired.
Photos By Yohannes Ayalew of ethiofidel.
