Peer Support Program

Black Drama Therapy Peer Support

What is the BMHC Peer Support Program?

In a support group, people are able to talk with others who are like themselves—people who truly empathise with what they are going through and can share the type of practical insights that can only come from firsthand experiences.

We offer a 10 session program for up to 10 participants with similar intersections and lived experiences. In addition, we are also offering one-on-one support for folks who prefer that option. Through these programs we aim to break the stigma and shame associated with mental health and create an anti-oppressive, harm reductive space for cathartic release, community building, and skill sharing. BMHC’s peer support programming is remote and offered over zoom.

Our support groups will begin on October 3rd and run for 10 weeks. The Peer Support Program includes weekly sessions with 1 drama therapy student and a Drama Therapist from Concordia’s Drama Therapy program. Through these sessions participants are able to speak about their experiences while learning more about mental health, developing a new outlook, and learning culturally relevant coping mechanisms. Peers will actively create an inclusive, and safer environment for each other from registration to the very last session.

Akinyi Oluoch (she/her) is an MA Drama therapy student at Concordia University and hails from the great land of Kenya. Her academic pursuits are driven by her desire to bridge the gap between traditional therapeutic approaches and culturally sensitive, holistic healing practices. She believes that by addressing individuals’ unique mental health needs, we can foster greater resilience and overall well-being. She aims to create safe spaces for individuals to explore their emotions, confront their challenges, and embark on a journey of self-empowerment and healing.

Sarah-Doreen Dadzie (she/her) is a Ghanaian Drama Therapist in Tio’tia:ke (Montreal). She wishes to explore together the mental health and wellbeing of the Black and African diaspora community by creating a safe enough space for people to process their thoughts and feelings. With  focus on the client, the psychodynamic, anti-oppressive, critical disability justice point of view guides the therapy process. She utilises these point of views combined with drama therapy processes to bring out meaningful insights and breakthroughs with clients.

Our current peer support groups are open to all Black folks ages 18-35. We’ll have two closed groups available on Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Registration Forms

Please register using this form (click me). We will be running one group and have space to accept up to ten (10) participants. 

Thank you to the SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation, the CHSSN, and the Concordia Student Union for funding our past and current peer support groups.