Retooling Black Anxiety Research Project
Improving the mental health of Blacks and Black Families in the Greater Toronto Area
Re-tooling Black Anxiety which also is a study project will unearth a new research area that examines the effects/stories of anxiety, the strategies that families use to deal with anxiety and pilots an intervention that will use tools created with families alongside standard anxiety tools.
The findings of this study will have intellectual and broader significance in improving the mental health of Blacks and Black Families in the Greater Toronto Area.
Dates
May 2023 — Mar 2024
Project Link
blackanxiety.ca
Partners
Gashanti, York University, Ghana Union
Funders
Beneva
Methodology & Outcomes
Gashanti is an implementing partner in Retooling Black Anxiety, a research project led by York University's Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. Gashanti and the Ghana Union of Canada.
Workshop #1 : Harm Reduction Workshop - March 2, 2023
Outcome:
● Expressed a desire for more workshops around anxiety and mental health in
Somali
● Expressed interest in more culturally specific resources/programs around grief, trauma, anxiety, substance abuse, mental health, navigating justice system
Information Session: Youth for Change and Project-Arounds - Jan 25, 2024
Outcome:
● Participant requested a follow-up workshop around the different types of
anxiety and a need to understand their mental health journeys.
● Gashanti will do a follow-up workshop about anxiety, its definition, the
different types of anxiety and how to navigate.
Workshop #2: Journey to Serenity: Navigating Anxiety with Healthy Strategies -March 7, 2024
Outcome:
Many of the youth, particularly those with encounters with the law, initially exhibited hesitancy in expressing their anxiety and worries openly, possibly due to the stigma associated with mental health within their community. However, as the session progressed, there was a noticeable sense of relatability among the group as they shared their experiences of anxiety.
Some youth expressed worry regarding transit safety, which was compounded by a recent shooting in the community.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere was somewhat disrupted as a non-uniformed community officer unexpectedly joined the group. His presence, although perhaps well-intentioned, was unwelcome and hindered the ability of most youth to express their reservations with the police openly. Following the workshop, several youth approached the facilitators for one-on-one conversations, during which they felt comfortable sharing more personal experiences and seeking advice.
Despite initial hesitancy, the session fostered a sense of unity and shared experience among the youths as they discussed their worries openly.
Goals of the Retooling Black Anxiety Research Project
Identify the relationship between the family identity status/ and dealing with anxiety
Gashanti did a workshop on language about the language surrounding anxiety. We identified a stigma around the word “anxiety” both within families and in the culture more broadly. Participants were initially more comfortable using the term “worry” when discussing anxiety.
Implement an intervention to help families deal with anxiety
Gashanti provided information sessions about mental health and wellbeing, including a specific workshop with the topic “What Is Anxiety”. We also did a workshop focused on what resources are available in the city and provided pathways for referrals to resources that are culturally responsive.
Identify family needs and resources to cope with anxiety (physical and virtual)
Gashanti made space for dialogue to help participants understand that there was an intergenerational disconnect when it comes to conversations around mental health and wellbeing. We were able to help bridge the gap in language used and normalize having conversations that support healthy relationships and outcomes.
Develop resources and resource space for use by Black families experiencing anxiety
Gashanti made a list of existing resources for racialized communities and provided that list to all participants in our workshops and events. We also held our workshops within communities by partnering with existing community organizations to use their spaces, ensuring that the space was accessible to as many participants as possible.