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BLACK MENTAL HEALTH

2025

Black Mental Health Week: March 3-7, 2025

Power & Resilience Through Community

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This years theme is: Joy as Resistance, resilience & reclaiming power through community: central to Afrocentric principles, such as Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and Sankofa (“returning to fetch what is at risk of being left behind ”).

In March 2020, the Provincial Government passed Bill 178, officially recognizing Black Mental Health Day—a day that was first championed by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Centre, CAFCAN, and Strides Toronto. In 2021, this recognition expanded to Black Mental Health Week, affirming the importance of centring Black well-being.

At TDSB, we honour the unwavering spirit of Black students, families, and communities, even in the face of anti-Black racism. We recognize that Black mental health and well-being cannot be confined to a single day or week—our commitment must be daily and ongoing.

Anti-Black racism has profound and lasting effects on emotional well-being, yet Black communities continue to thrive, heal, and build spaces of joy, care, and empowerment. We acknowledge that the weight of racial stress and trauma can lead to fatigue, exhaustion, and distrust of mental health systems, but we also uplift the power of Black voices, the depth of Black wisdom, and the resilience that fuels Black futures. Our commitment is clear: to listen, to learn, and to act in ways that honour and strengthen Black mental health and well-being—every day.

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The TDSB Mental Health team, proudly honour Black Mental Health Week from March 3rd to March 7th, 2025. This week is a time to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being, joy and resilience of Black students, families, and communities.

Schools play a vital role in fostering spaces where Black students feel seen, valued, and supported. We recognize the need to engage in critical conversations about the impacts of racial stress and trauma on mental health while actively working towards healing. Our collective responsibility is to learn, unlearn, and cultivate environments that centre culturally responsive and identity affirming spaces. When Black students and families have access to affirming supports, positive mental health outcomes and mentally healthy schools become possible.

Honouring Black mental health means ensuring meaningful, accessible, and culturally responsive resources are available. Seeking support from professionals who identify within the Black Diaspora is essential in affirming and sustaining well-being. The following slides provide links to TDSB and community resources, activities, and videos designed to uplift and support positive Black mental health—every day.

BLACK MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS