Presenter: Donna Alexander, MSW, RSW
Social Worker (specialization in addiction and mental health), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
February 21, 2024
Recording Link
Link password: CAMHPirmhp022024
Description
The Black population in Canada is growing mostly due to migration from Africa and the Caribbean. The largest increase is 349,000 persons during 2016-2021. While the post migration period can be challenging for immigrants and refugees, Black newcomers encounter additional barriers associated with the social determinants of health. This in turn influences their mental health. Since the goals of health equity is to ensure all peoples of Canada reach their fullest health potential, this webinar will offer strategies that providers can use to improve the quality of services and mental health outcomes for newcomers of African descent.
Objectives
- To facilitate greater understanding of the factors that contribute to mental illness among Black immigrants and refugees
- To build service providers’ capacity to support Black newcomers in their efforts to achieve optimal mental health
About the presenter
Donna Alexander is a Social Worker with a specialisation in addiction and mental health. She currently serves on the Clinical Equity & Inclusion Council at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Donna currently serves on the Community Advisory Committee for Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and the Healthcare Task Force of the Black Opportunity Fund.
She also serves on the Pathways to Care Project for Black youth. She previously served as Vice President of Black Health Alliance and was a member of the Black Experiences in Health Care Initiative at Sinai Health Systems, Toronto.
Donna facilitates training for staff at community-based agencies on factors relating to concurrent disorders and cultural safety in clinical practice.
She holds a Master of Social work from the University of Toronto and currently works in the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian & Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto.