Mental Health & Wellness

Program Overview

African Centre in Toronto (ACT) delivers culturally responsive mental health, wellness, and substance-use support services designed to address the unique challenges faced by newcomers, racialized communities, and marginalized populations. We recognize that mental health and substance use are closely linked to social determinants such as migration stress, economic insecurity, discrimination, and social isolation.

Program Approach

ACT’s approach prioritizes prevention, early intervention, stigma reduction, and community-based care. Services are delivered in a safe, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner that respects lived experience and promotes dignity, trust, and empowerment.

Program Activities & Services

Through this program, ACT provides mental health education and awareness sessions, peer support groups, one-on-one emotional support, and referrals to clinical and specialized service providers. Substance-use support includes harm-reduction education, early identification of substance-use challenges, supportive counseling, and referrals to addiction treatment and recovery services.

Target Population

This program serves individuals and families from newcomer, immigrant, refugee, Black, and other racialized communities, particularly those experiencing stress, trauma, substance-use challenges, or barriers to accessing mainstream services.

Program Outcomes

Program participants experience improved mental health awareness, reduced stigma related to mental health and substance use, increased access to appropriate support services, enhanced coping and resilience skills, and improved overall well-being for individuals and families.

Alignment with Funding Priorities

This program aligns with mental health funding priorities focused on community-based care, equity, prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and improved access to culturally appropriate mental health and substance-use services.