The Blind Stigma Podcast

Hosted by Stacy-Ann Buchanan and Dr. Natasha Williams, The Blind Stigma podcast aims to provide a safe space that explores mental health within the black community, break down the stigmas attached and take back our narratives. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

Jason Humphreys Kinte is an author, spoken word artist, entrepreneur and career coach, and a mental health advocate. Jason has been featured in news articles, on TV and online for his service to the community. He overcame a bout with depression to found Phree Shares Inc. (the best at making people happy for free) in 1999 while completing a business degree and French minor at University of Toronto. He started Toronto Poets as a club that started the Increase the Peace campaign in 2002. In 2011 he started The Pen's Power and the Pen's Power Club, divisions of Dream Livers Club Inc., a for-profit, global version of a registered non-profit of Toronto Poets. Think Phreely Student Systems helps students to develop a healthy mindset and achieve all that they are capable of achieving in life. Instagram @iamgiftedlikeyou Facebook: www.facebook.com/jason.kinte ( http://www.facebook.com/jason.kinte ) and www.facebook.com/giftedlikeyou ( http://www.facebook.com/giftedlikeyou ) YouTUBE: www.youtube.com/jasonkinte ( http://www.youtube.com/jasonkinte ) LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkinte ( http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkinte ) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

Natacha Pennycooke is a Registered Psychotherapist, with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO), and owner/operator of Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy Services. In her over 10 years of practice as a psychotherapist, speaker and consultant, her work is guided from an anti-oppressive, healing focused, trauma informed and anti-Black racism lens, to unpack and challenge Euro-centric ideologies, systemic oppression and generational traumas that have been detrimental to racialized communities. She has presented at a number of international and national psychological conferences; and, is sought after for her expertise on mental health, coping, racial trauma and healing to speak at various community and corporate events in the Greater Toronto Area, and beyond. She is a founding member and current vice-chair of the Association of Black Psychologists - Toronto Chapter (ABPsi-TO), and actively volunteers as the Mental Health Advisor with Keep6ix Organization. Find her here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatachaPennycookeTherapy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natachapennycooke.therapy/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/natachappennycooke Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

Award winning Talk Show Host, Karen Carrington, is an Author, Mental Health Advocate, Certified Personal Development Trainer, recipient of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada Award and the Susan B. Anthony iLead Woman in Leadership Award. Her talk show, The Karen Carrington Show, features guests of all walks of life including her men's series reaching over half a million social media views worldwide. She is a member of Women in Film & Television, has been featured on CTV National News and Ever Talk T.V in Hollywood. Karen Carrington's life mission is to leave the planet a better place than she found it making sure everyone felt loved. IG: @thekarencarringtonshow IG Website www.karencarrington.com ( http://www.karencarrington.com ) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression, Crystal was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist. A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree - because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer on how to: communicate with persons experiencing mental health crises, identify issues related to stigma, recognize the role of the family, access mental health services and issues related to the use of force. Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource Counseling Centre of Durham etc. Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham. Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about mental illness especially in the Black community. Find her: Youtube - Mental Health Speaks Out Twitter - @mentalhealthbee [email protected] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression, *Crystal* was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist. A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree - because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer on how to: * communicate with persons experiencing mental health crises * identify issues related to stigma * recognize the role of the family * access mental health services * issues related to the use of force Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource Counseling Centre of Durham etc. Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham. Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about mental illness especially in the Black community. Find her: Youtube - Mental Health Speaks Out Twitter - @mentalhealthbee Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

*Natasha Halliday* , MA, CYCP, - has been working in mental health for over 20 years with a specific focus on youth. She has worked in variety of settings including hospitals, schools and community agencies. Natasha believes that we all possess resilience. She is dedicated to uncovering the resilience already there, foster and build resilience where needed, and demonstrating how to grow through adversity. Halliday has facilitated trainings on mental health forensics, and conducted community presentations on a various mental health topics. She has been teaching in the Child and Youth Care Program for over 10 years and has shared her expertise at conferences, on radio podcasts, in workshops, seminars, mental health forums and community events. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

*Karen* takes us on a journey of her childhood experiences of physical and mental abuse and rejection and lack of love from her mother that followed her into adulthood and landed her in a maze of confusion, anger, bitterness, depression, anxiety, seizures and memory loss. This incredible woman sought professional help by joining a women's group that helped her to mentally and spiritually de-clutter, clarify and start the process of healing while walking bravely into her purpose. Facebook: Karen Samuels Instagram: @fierce.diva and @onelastcryjourney Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

*Dr. Andre Marseille* is an existentialist and positive psychotherapist who is very concerned about climate change and mental wellness - which will be one of the foremost significant issue in the next 10 to 20 years. To learn more about Dr. Andre, please visit: www. safepaces.com ( http://safepaces.com ) Facebook: Andre Roger Eggleston Marseille Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations

*Dr. Anita Ewan* is a consultant and researcher for the Government of Canada. She also is a university instructor. Her dissertation research explored the racial-gendered experiences of Black women living in Toronto social housing and the effects of housing policy and neighbourhood revitalization on their lives. Instagram: @ani_re5 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-blind-stigma-podcast/donations