Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) Condemns Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for Cancelling Palestinian Mental Health Event

According to independent reports, this cancellation was influenced by a complaint from Canadian Women Against Antisemitism (CWAA) — an advocacy group that frequently works to silence and exclude Palestinians in Canada by falsely labeling them as antisemitic—undermines the event’s purpose. The event aimed to present a documentary and facilitate a discussion highlighting the significant mental health struggles of Palestinians. By yielding to external pressure, CAMH has engaged in a form of anti-Palestinian racism, effectively silencing and dehumanizing an entire community, and exacerbating the very mental health issues it claims to address.

"By cancelling this event, CAMH has denied a crucial platform for understanding and addressing the mental health impacts of conflict on Palestinians," stated Jamila Ewais, Lead Researcher at ARPCF. "It is disheartening to see a reputed mental health institution fold to pressure that seeks to misrepresent and vilify educational and humanitarian efforts." This is clearly a form of Anti-Palestinian Racism that excludes Palestinians from human rights and the right to empathy and solidarity, as explained by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association's (ACLA) definition of APR. The ARPCF demands a formal explanation for the cancellation from the CAMH, given that this incident is clearly discriminatory.

This cancellation raises serious concerns about CAMH's commitment to inclusivity and its ability to provide unbiased mental health services. According to CAMH’s 2019 DEI action plan, “CAMH is committed to having a workplace that respects diversity, to removing barriers, and to supporting our community members in fulfilling their research and employment goals.” Nevertheless, this incident not only deprives the community of a valuable educational opportunity but also sends a troubling message that certain narratives about mental health, particularly those involving Palestinians, are unwelcome. This discriminatory act questions CAMH’s professionalism and its pledge to serve all communities equitably, especially on a day meant to foster greater understanding of mental health issues globally.

The ARPCF urges CAMH to reconsider its position and to align its practices with its health equity policies announced. We advocate for the integration of Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) into CAMH's health equity frameworks to prevent the recurrence of such injustices. It is imperative that CAMH supports initiatives that foster understanding and acknowledge the nuanced impacts of geopolitical issues on mental health. Looking forward, the ARPCF expects CAMH to implement policies that protect free speech and ensure that all individuals, irrespective of their political views or ethnic backgrounds, have their mental health needs respected and addressed without prejudice.