On February 26, 2026, in recognition of Black History Month, 海角社区鈥檚 Department of Family Medicine Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, in collaboration with Concordia University鈥檚 Black Perspectives Office, hosted a timely and impactful event titled From Stigma to Support: Changing the Conversation on Black Mental Health. The session brought together clinicians, learners and community members to examine persistent inequities in mental healthcare and to explore pathways toward more equitable, culturally responsive practice.
鈥淭his event gathered individuals from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of expertise on racial disparities, for a stimulating dialogue on race-based inequities in healthcare. It fostered critical self-reflection, encouraged community engagement and underscored the importance of advocacy,鈥� shared Khandideh Williams, EDI Committee Co-Founder and Vice-Chair and PhD candidate at the Department of Family Medicine. 鈥淯ltimately, we aimed to inspire ongoing learning and sustained action to address the complex challenges of racial inequities, their consequences and the roles we each play鈥攊ndividually and collectively鈥攊n both perpetuating and dismantling them, well beyond Black History Month.鈥�
Addressing Systemic Inequities in Healthcare
The event featured a keynote presentation by Myrna Lashley, PhD, Associate Professor in 海角社区鈥檚 Department of Psychiatry and a recognized expert in cultural psychology. Drawing on clinical experience and research, Professor Lashley led a thought-provoking discussion on how stigma continues to shape mental health experiences for Black individuals in Canada.
Professor Lashley emphasized that clinicians鈥� assumptions can significantly influence both diagnosis and treatment. When the lived realities of racism and discrimination are minimized or overlooked, patients may receive care that is incomplete or misaligned with their needs. The session called on healthcare providers to critically reflect on their own practices and to adopt more culturally informed approaches to care.
Privilege, Allyship and Resilience
Professor Ashley emphasized we all play a role in shaping the systems we live in. Our position within these systems influences how we see others, how others see us and how we are treated. By recognizing and using our privilege, we can act as allies and challenge limiting beliefs. Resilience, meanwhile, is supported not just by individuals but by the environments around us.
The session concluded with an interactive exchange, encouraging attendees to share insights, ask questions and consider how they can contribute to more equitable mental health systems. By creating space for dialogue and reflection, the event reinforced the Department鈥檚 ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in Family Medicine.
As part of a broader series of Black History Month initiatives at 海角社区, this event highlighted the critical role of academic and clinical institutions in addressing health disparities and advancing meaningful change in Black mental healthcare.
The Role of the EDI Committee
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, which operates within the Department鈥檚 Graduate Programs, is dedicated to cultivating a culture of respect, belonging, and inclusive excellence. Composed of faculty, staff, and learners, the committee works collaboratively to identify barriers, advance equity-driven initiatives and amplify underrepresented voices across the Department鈥檚 academic, clinical, and research spheres. Through ongoing reflection, education, and advocacy, the EDI Committee helps ensure that the Department of Family Medicine remains a welcoming environment, one where diverse perspectives are valued and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
For the event recording, please visit:
For more events happening at the Department of Family Medicine, please visit /familymed/events
Questions about our EDI events? Please email edi.fammed [at] mcgill.ca.
