The reality of youth mental health in Canada amongst African Canadians is sobering. Suicide is the leading health-related cause of death for people aged 15-24. Considering these challenges, GIYC constantly strives to make a difference in our community.

We advocate for needs-based, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed mental health support, services, and educational accommodations for kids and youths. We believe that families with kids who have chronic mental health disabilities require direct funding to support young people.

Guest Speaker:

Nyimasatou Drammeh is the founder and CEO of Soni Autism, a nonprofit association whose primary objective is to eradicate the stigma associated with autism spectrum and kids with disability in the African Canadian communities. Soni Autism strives to bring awareness to African Canadians and other diasporas by establishing educational workshops about autism and engaging community members for system change and the impact of stigmatization on kids. In addition, Soni Autism also creates a space where kids with autism and various developmental disabilities can express themselves.

Nyimasatou holds a behavioral Science Technology from George Brown College, and she is in her final year of Honors Bachelor of Behavioral Science at George Brown College. She is a kids' disability activist and community champion. She has appeared in many radio and TV programs advocating for kids with disability.