Embodying Peace: SAPACCY introduces AMANI: Mental Health & Substance Use Services for Black Youth

BY PAUL JUNOR

The announcement of $4.4 million in funding to AMANI: Mental Health & Substance Use Services for Black Youth (“AMANI”) which was made on Tuesday, March 3^rd, 2025, is good news for mental health advocates, health professionals, service sectors and policy makers.

The announcement coincided with Black Mental Health Week, which is celebrated from March 3^rd – March 7^th. Details about the funding were released in a press release issued on Wednesday, March 5^th, 2025.The funding was made possible from Health Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund, and it is part of the $7.1 million that the Ontario government has committed to expand the model to seven community organizations across the province.

The press release reveals that one of the signature programs, the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian Youth (SAPACCY) has undergone a name change. It states, “More than a name change, this milestone marks the expansion and restructuring of services to better meet the needs of diverse Black youth across Ontario.” The choice of the word ” AMANI” is unique. It means ” peace,” in Swahili and ” wishes” in Arabic according to the press release. It shows a renewed commitment to supporting young people’s mental health with a focus on Afrocentric values.

“AMANI will provide greater support and services to Black youth”

The success of SAPACCY (now rebranded as AMANI) has been well documented over the years. CAMH states that “It offers culturally responsive and affirming mental health and substance use support for Black youth, ages 12-25, alongside the families and caregivers.” Furthermore, “Our approach is healing centered, is anti-oppressive and anti-racist and emphasizes strengths.” It was on November 26^th, 2021, during COVID-19 that the Ontario government announced that it had invested $2.9 million to enhance and expand SAPACCY. This was part of the $3.8 billion that the province had invested when it launched the Roadmap to Wellness initiatives.

AMANI involves a provincial network of organizations in Ontario with a shared vision of providing programs and services that support and empower Black youth in achieving their goals. This development reflects a creative, innovative, and expansive model that will be involved in developing, implementing and evaluating culturally responsive and affirming models of integrating hospital-based and community-based and access to evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for Black communities.

Ya-ara Saks, Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions states, “Through the Youth Mental Health Fund, we’re investing in mental health care solutions that will make a difference for generations to come. The name AMANI captures our intent to create hope, resilience and culturally safe care that aligns with the needs of diverse youth.”

Paul Bailey, Executive Director of Black Health Alliance states, “AMANI’s growth builds on a strong legacy and a commitment to providing community-based mental health and addictions support to Black youth, while equipping young people and their caregivers with the tools to empower themselves.”  He notes further, “Building on previous investments from the Government of Ontario, this significant funding from Health Canada will build our established community and hospital-based partnership, and further support AMANI’s: expansion, increasing its reach across Ontario. We are proud to collaborate with the dedicated team at CAMH to advance equity within the mental health and addiction system, ensuring that Black youth and their caregivers have access to the right supports, in the right place, at the right time.”

Kevin Haynes, Senior Director of Black Health Strategy at CAMH states, “I am thrilled that the government is investing in AMANI to address systemic inequities and improve equitable, timely access to culturally responsive mental health and substance use care for Black youth. Our expectation is that this program will set a national example for advancing culturally responsive integrated youth services for Black youth in Ontario.”

Donna Alexander, a social worker with almost 20 years of experience with AMANI is pleased with the new funding. She states, “The expansion of AMANI has been a dream come true for me. Previously, families would travel up to two hours for a 60-minute appointment. Now we are able to deliver more services to underserved youth in a way that refuses barriers and saves lives. I am extremely grateful for the progress we have made, and very excited about the future.”

There are eight organizations that will work alongside AMANI and will continue to provide their mental health and substance use services. They include:

• TAIBU Community Health Centre: Scarborough
• Rexdale Community Health Centre: Rexdale
• Caribbean African Canadian Social Services: North York
• Roots Community Services: Located in Peel Region
• Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support: Ottawa
• Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre: Located in Hamilton
• Windsor Essex Community Health Centre: Windsor
• Centre for Addiction & Mental Health: Toronto