AMANI builds province wide Black youth supports

Mental health support for Black youth in Ontario is entering a new chapter as a long standing program broadens its reach and redefines its mission. Known for decades as the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth, the initiative is now operating under a new name and expanded mandate that organizers say better reflects the needs of young people across the province.

The program is now called AMANI Mental Health and Substance Use Services for Black Youth. The change signals more than rebranding. It represents a restructuring designed to improve access to culturally responsive care while extending services beyond their original scope. The name AMANI draws from Swahili and Arabic meanings of peace and wishes and reflects a renewed emphasis on Africentric values and healing.

The program was first created in Toronto in the mid 1990s in response to a lack of appropriate mental health and addiction services for Black communities. Data has consistently shown that Black youth in Ontario experience poorer mental health outcomes than the general population while facing greater barriers when seeking care. Over time the program earned trust through close collaboration with youth families and community partners using approaches grounded in Africentric and racial trauma informed care.

AMANI now benefits from new federal funding through Health Canada Youth Mental Health Fund. The investment supports the creation of a consultation liaison service and a collaborative care model that links hospital and community based providers. The goal is to improve transitions between services reduce hospital readmissions and support long term recovery. The model relies on real time collaboration digital navigation tools and staff training focused on anti Black racism racial trauma informed care and cultural humility with the intention of scaling the approach across Ontario.

Paul Bailey executive director of Black Health Alliance which provides backbone support to AMANI said the expansion builds on a strong foundation. He noted that new funding strengthens partnerships with community organizations and hospitals including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health while increasing access to timely support for youth and caregivers.

At CAMH senior director of Black Health Strategy Kevin Haynes described the investment as an important step toward addressing systemic inequities. He said the expectation is that AMANI will serve as a national example for integrated culturally responsive youth services.

AMANI operates through eight sites across Ontario and serves Black youth aged 12 to 29. Services include counseling psychotherapy case management service navigation and other culturally affirming supports. Families and caregivers are also involved recognizing their role in recovery. Partner locations include TAIBU Community Health Centre in Scarborough Rexdale Community Health Centre in Etobicoke Caribbean African Canadian Social Services in North York Roots Community Services in Peel Region Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre Windsor Essex Community Health Centre and CAMH in Toronto.

Social worker Donna Alexander who has worked with the program for nearly 20 years said the expansion has reduced barriers that once forced families to travel long distances for care. She called the growth a dream realized and said it is already helping save lives.

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