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Brampton officially recognizes March as Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Month

​BRAMPTON, ON (March 11, 2021) – On March 3, Brampton City Council officially proclaimed March as Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Month, in response to the mental health crisis in the Black community.

As part of this important month, the City’s Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit will host a series of Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Community Sessions.

Those interested in participating can register for the following online sessions here.

• Youth Mental Health Forum: March 18 from 4:30 to 6 pm
• Seniors Mental Health Forum: March 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
• Women’s Mental Health Forum: March 25 from 6 to 7:30 pm
• Men’s Mental Health Forum: March 25 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm   
• LGBTQ+ Mental Health Forum: March 26 from 6 to 7 pm
• Anti-Black Racism Education Session: March 31 from 9 am to 12 pm

Learn more about Brampton’s initiatives on anti-Black racism and about the Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit at brampton.ca/antiblackracism.

For a list of mental health community resources in Peel, click here.

About Brampton’s Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit
On June 10, 2020, City Council approved a Black African and Caribbean Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit. Led by Senior Advisor, Gwyneth Chapman, the Unit is responsible for developing and implementing an action plan for eradicating systemic anti-Black racism in Brampton. Guided by local community stakeholders, work is centered on uplifting the social, cultural, and economic position of Brampton’s Black community.

To learn more or to express an interest in being involved as the City develops the Anti-Black Racism Unit, please contact the City at economicantiblackracism@brampton.ca.
 
Quotes

“On the heels of Brampton’s first virtual conference to address economic empowerment and anti-Black racism in Canada and our Black History Month events, we are proud to proclaim March as Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Month and host this series of mental health forums to support the Black community. The Black African and Caribbean Social, Cultural and Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit is doing important work to eradicate systemic anti-Black racism in Brampton.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“The Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment Community Sessions will bring together a range of stakeholders, aiming to empower those affected by the Black mental health crisis and confront workplace and societal racial biases through education and fostering better management practices.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“This month will create a greater opportunity for honest and informative dialogue focus on Black Mental Health and well-being.  We will learn about the detrimental societal and economic affects of anti-Black racism, hoping to encourage all Canadians and Brampton residents, to choose to be part of the solution. The City’s Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism Unit looks forward to engaging residents through the upcoming session this month”
- Gwyneth Chapman, Senior Advisor, Economic Empowerment and Anti-Black Racism, City of Brampton
 
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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to more than 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Sharma
Media Relations, City of Brampton
647.242.4319 | christine.sharma@brampton.ca