(formerly SAPACCY)
Mental Health and Wellness for Us, by Us.
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Who We Are
AMANI offers culturally responsive and affirming mental health and substance use health support for Black youth, ages 12–29, alongside their families and caregivers, in Ottawa. We provide a safe and welcoming space for Black, African, and Caribbean youth to talk about mental health and substance use health issues.
We understand the unique experiences of Black youth. Our goal is to support and uplift every individual’s cultural identity. Our approach is healing-centred, is anti-oppressive and anti-racist, and emphasizes strengths.
Funding
AMANI is made possible thanks to generous funding from
Ontario Health East.
Our Services
The AMANI Mental Health & Substance Use Program (formerly known as the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth or “SAPACCY”) provides a range of confidential, personalized services:
Work with our team to identify mental health and substance use health concerns. Together, we can create a plan with clear goals and activities to support your personal growth.
Discuss life challenges in talk-based sessions that focus on setting goals and developing coping strategies to improve your mental health.
Receive an assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan, which may include medication and follow-up to support your wellness.
Join sessions with others who share similar goals in a supportive setting. Group sessions help through shared experiences and offers tools for managing wellness.
A program for family members and caregivers of Black youth facing mental health or substance use health challenges, providing education and peer connection.
Work with our team to access social services and ensure you receive the right supports when you need them.
Take part in programs that address factors affecting mental health, such as housing and financial issues, to help improve wellness for Black youth, families, caregivers, and communities.
Get in Touch
Are you a Black youth, aged 12-29, living in Ottawa and seeking support? We're here to help you.
Email: sapaccy@upstreamottawa.ca
Phone: 613-248-3330
Where Are We
The AMANI Mental Health & Substance Use Program is available in eight communities across Ontario. For details about other locations and to learn more about AMANI, visit our website.
AMANI Framework
Our community-based clinical teams work from an Africentric, youthfocused, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, harm reduction, intersectional, feminist, strength-based, and healing centred lens to support youth through their mental health and substance use concerns.
Africentricity
Africentricity is a practice that promotes the respect and dignity of people of African descent, rooted in culture, history, and lived experiences. It is the right of people of African descent to strive for self-determination, in light of the pervasiveness of racism and systemic oppression.
