10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Toronto is home to over half a million people of African and Caribbean origin. Though a very visible minority in many ways,
we are almost invisible when it comes to research into our mental health and well-being.
In order to kick start thinking and research into the mental health of people of African and Caribbean origin, the Social
Equity and Health Research unit of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is sponsoring a one day conference.
International experts in the mental health of the African Diaspora from the Caribbean, the UK and the USA will present their
thoughts alongside specialists from Toronto.
Together they will answer the question of what are the causes of mental illness in the African and Caribbean population of
Toronto and what can be done about them.
The day will be both informative and interactive.
Who should attend?
All are welcome
What are the aims of the conference?
- To offer information on the newest research and to consider it in the Canadian context
- To offer a chance to network with other people interested in the topic
- To think about possibilities for investigating ideas for research and service development
What is the cost?
There is no charge
Is there lunch?
Lunch and refreshments will be provided
How can I sign up?
Call Patricia O’Donoghue (416) 535-8501, x 7608
Or e-mail diasporaconference@hotmail.com and leave your name and contact details
CME approval will be applied for.
Speakers
International
Dr Carl Bellis President & C.E.O., Community Mental Health Council & Foundation, Inc. He is also the Director of Public and Community
Psychiatry and a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago. In his 30 years in
psychiatry he has worked with the White House, the Surgeon general and the Secretary of State for health and Human Services
to improve the mental health of African Americans.
Dr Gerard Hutchinson is a medical doctor and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. He has worked
on a number of studies world wide investigating the causes of mental illness in people of Caribbean origin.
Dr Craig Morgan is a Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry London. He is a sociologist by training and runs the largest
and best known study of the mental health of the African and Caribbean diaspora in the world.
Local
Dr. Suzanne Archie is an Associate Professor with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. She is
a psychiatrist and the Clinical Director of the Cleghorn Program for Early Intervention in Psychosis and Psychotic Disorders
Clinic. Dr Archie in interested in how people from ethno-racial groups get help for serious mental illness.
Lew Golding, is the manager of CAMH’s Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY). He has been leading
discussions on the causes of youth violence through the mental health lens and backs this with practical experience through
his clinical work.
Dr Kwame McKenzie is a Professor of Psychiatry at University of Toronto, Deputy Clinical Director of the Schizophrenia Program at CAMH and
a Senior Scientist in Social Equity and Health Research. He has been investigating the causes of mental illness in people
of Caribbean and African origin and developing new services for over 15 years. As the Medical Director of Diversity at CAMH
and on the Service Systems Advisory Group of the Mental Health Commission of Canada he is striving to put his international
experience to good use in Canada.
Professor Charmaine Williams has worked in the area of mental health care since 1993, with practice experience that includes children, adults, family
and group practice, in inpatient and outpatient services. In addition, her practice has included organizational development
for anti-racist and diversity-focused change, and the development and delivery of professional development programs concentrated
on mental illness, addictions, diversity, and cultural competence. Her current focus is on families.
For more information please contact:
Patricia O’Donoghue
Telephone: (416) 535-8501, x 7608
Email: diasporaconference@hotmail.com
Centre for Addiction
