Healing Together:
A Black Youth–Centred Trauma Symposium
On June 9 and 10, 2023, Wanasah and the Black Health Alliance (BHA) convened Healing Together, a two-day symposium aimed at creating a model of trauma care for Black youth and their families and communities living in Regent Park, Toronto and in similar, under-served urban communities in Canada.
The symposium brought together the community’s youth and their families, along with frontline mental-health and substance-use health-service providers, community leaders and a diverse group of experts to reflect upon the key values, principles, and practices supporting such a model.
A follow-up workshop was held on November 30, 2023, to review and revise the proposed model of care.
Symposium Evaluation
Organised into Head, Heart and Feet sections
Head
Heart
Feet
Healing Together agenda
The Healing Together symposium encompassed a variety of sessions, workshops, and activities.
Day 1 Agenda:
- 8:30 : Registration + Breakfast
- 9:00 : Welcoming Remarks (Paul Bailey and Namarig Ahmed)
- 9:30 : Black Youth Centered Trauma Care: Why It Is Needed (Tiyondah Fante-Coleman)
- 10:00 : Indigenous Healing Practices (James Carpenter, Traditional Healer)
- 11:00 : Mindfulness + Wellness Break (Dr. Yusra Ahmad)
- 11:30 : Childhood Trauma and the Healthcare Revolution (Dr. Robert Maunder)
- 12:15 : Lunch + Networking
- 1:15 : Introducing the Youth Perspective: Creative Presentation
- 1:30 : Sharing Experiences: Learning from Trauma Programs (Panel Discussion)
- 3:00 : Wellness Break
- 3:30 : Sharing Experiences: What is Black Centric Care? (Panel Discussion)
- 4:40 : Entertainment + Closing Remarks
Day 2 Agenda:
- 9:00 : Registration + Breakfast
- 9:30 : Opening Remarks
- 9:45 : Developing a Black Centric Trauma Program: Wanasah’s Story (Julian Waithe)
- 10:15 : Perspectives on Spirituality and Trauma (Panel Discussion)
- 11:00 : Reflections on Establishing a Trauma Clinic (Dr. Clare Pain)
- 11:30 : Healing the Healers + Wellness Break (Dr. Suzanne Shoush)
- 12:00 : Workshop Sessions #1
- 1:00 : Lunch Break
- 2:00 : Workshop Shareback
- 2:45 : Workshops Sessions #2
- 4:00: Workshop Shareback
- 4:30 : Closing Remarks, Evaluation and Next Steps
- 4:45 : Closing Performance
TESTIMONIALS
Youth perspectives
Lived experience is extremely valuable to creating a trauma informed program. Work in communities like Regent Park needs to feel safe. Those who come in for support need to feel your heart. Intergenerational relationships are key. – Youth Particpant
Through the symposium I learned …that there isn’t one make and model for addressing trauma and the different ways that the spirit, culture and beliefs can play a role in how an individual can cope and release trauma. My hope is for everyone …that came to take what they learned and share it with their friends and families. – Youth Particpant
Every kid might live one life at home and one life outside. We must empower youth – pass down that power. Older people don’t want to let go of that teaching role. Empower youth so they can step up and teach and bring in that younger crowd. It can be hard to relate to an elder when you’re a young person. – Youth Particpant
Black Youth Mental Health Care
Black Health Alliance researcher Tiyondah Fante-Coleman drew on lessons learned from the BHA’s comprehensive Pathways to Care project to understand the impact of anti-Black racism (ABR) on Black youths’ mental health and experience of mental-healthcare.
