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Anti-Hate Conversation Series

The Anti-Hate Conversation Series is a Facebook live series turned podcast that aims to spread awareness on current hate-related and social justice issues by inviting speakers to provide insights into the underlying causes and next steps for these issues.

Episodes are released biweekly on Spotify and Google Podcasts and consist of questions from the host, Maryam Faisal, CASSA’s Anti-Hate Initiatives Project Manager, pertaining to the weekly topics and responses from the guest speakers.

Discussion Topics

  • Anti-Asian Racism Amid COVID-19
  • State of Islamophobia
  • Rise of White Supremacy and the Far-Right
  • Anti-Black Racism in Healthcare
  • Sexism and Misogyny in Racialized Communities
  • Antisemitism
  • Anti-Indigenous Racism
  • Addressing Homophobia, and many others

Anti-Hate Community Leaders’ Group

CASSA, currently led by a visibly Muslim female Executive Director, decided to bring together community leaders in the Greater Toronto Area in response to the devastating Christchurch Mosque Shooting in New Zealand to take preliminary action in ensuring events like this never happen (again) in this country. With a call out that went to 50 different community leaders and organizational leaders in Toronto, Peel region, York region, and Durham region. Approximately 40+ organizations came together to form the Anti-Hate Community Leaders’ Group. Since its initiation, however, the group has expanded and includes organizations across Canada.

The group has six mandate areas for tackling hate:

  • Legal Tools and Legislation
  • Social Media and Online Strategies
  • Education Tools for Children
  • Inter-faith Dialogue and Supports
  • Political Engagement
  • Media Engagement

Resources

A big thank you to the Alliance of Educators for Muslim Students for compiling this list.

Across Boundaries provides a dynamic range of dignified, inclusive, and compassionate mental health and addiction services  and programs for racialized communities in Afrikaans, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali,, Caribbean dialects, Dari, Farsi (Persian), Harare, Hindi, Mandarin, Pashto, Punjabi, Shona, Somali, Swahili, Tsonga, Twi, Urdu, Xhosa

Black Youth Helpline (416-285-9944/1-833-294-8650) serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth-specific service

BounceBack Ontario is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or maybe feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry.  Services are available in Arabic.

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture is a community-based organization that helps victims of torture, war, genocide, and crimes against humanity. CCVT provides treatment, tools, and support that allow refugees to heal from trauma and become active community members. Youth Settlement Counselor:  416-363-1066 EXT: 227; Parenting Support:  416-363-1066. Children and Youth Programs Support is available in various languages including Arabic.

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto Area provides support in EnglishCantoneseMandarinPortugueseSpanishHindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.

Family Services of York Region  Supported languages Tamil, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Mandarin/Cantonese, Gujarati, Punjabi

Harriet’s Youth Support Line (1-877-695-2673) is a 24-hour emergency/crisis response line for African, Caribbean, and Black youth. Text messaging is available for young people who do not feel like speaking to someone but still need help.

Hong Fook provides a continuum of mental health services covering the spectrum from “promoting wellness” to “managing illness” in Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Korean, Vietnamese, and English.

Hope for Wellness Helpline (1-855-242-3310) offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers counseling and crisis intervention.  Connect to access support via phone or online chat.

ICNA Relief Canada (905-858-1067) provides a non-clinical aspect of counseling to clients in need

Jewish Family and Child Services is a multi-service agency that strengthens and supports individuals, children, families, and communities within Jewish values. Jewish Family and Child Services offers affordable, professional counseling that is confidential and convenient. 

JVS Toronto offers individual counseling for children, adolescents, and adults addressing symptoms related to mental health such as anxiety, depression, or anger. They also offer to counsel to parents as they strive to provide the best for their children while dealing with their own stressors.

Khalil Center is a psychological and spiritual community wellness center advancing the professional practice of psychology rooted in Islamic principles. Khalil Center utilizes faith-based approaches rooted in Islamic theological concepts while integrating the science of psychology toward addressing psychological, spiritual, and communal health

Muslim Family and Child Services (416) 910-1253 is a not-for-profit organization using an integrated network of professional consultants and community support services including crisis intervention

Naseeha (1-866-627-3342) provides an anonymous, non-judgmental, confidential, and toll-free peer support helpline for Muslim and non-Muslim youth experiencing personal challenges. Naseeha’s services are open to all regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, family makeup, social status, income, ability, physical and mental health, and religion.  

PCHS – Punjabi Community Health Services offers mental health and addictions, geriatric, settlement, child, youth, and family services. Call 647-237-1137 to speak to a mental health counselor. Councilors from the Muslim faith are on standby to assist. 

Pflag York Region (Anonymous Support Line: 1-866-977-3524) is York Region’s LGBTQ2 support, resource, and education network – bringing together all members of the community.   

Sikh Family Helpline (1-800-551-9128) is a non-emergency helpline providing support and connecting individuals to service providers in English and Punjabi 

SOCH Mental Health aims to empower South Asian community members to recognize and accept mental health as an essential part of their wellness through education, prevention, and building resilience.

TAIBU Community Health Centre provides intersectional, equity-based, and culturally affirming practices for YRDSB students who self-identify as Black, including Individual Therapeutic Counselling  with a referral via a school Social Worker or Psychology Services Professional

York Rainbow Support (1-888-967-5542) provides Individual, Couple, and Family counseling services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two Spirit, Queer & Questioning individuals.

General Supports for Emotional Well-Being (Alphabetized):

310-COPE provides crisis counseling for all. Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Kids Help Phone offers support for children and youth.  Professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

MOBYSS (The Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinic) offers a safe space to talk to a medical or mental health professional in a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment. Services are 100% free and confidential with staff who are caring and non-judgemental. A health card is not required and there are no referral requirements.

Victim Services of York Region provides crisis counseling and referrals for longer-term support. Advice and support for families and educators on best practices for providing support can be found here