Bloomberg Nursing Week
Fostering Wellness Unpacking the Narratives in our Back Pack
Fostering Wellness: Unpacking the Narratives in our Back Pack
A panel event in collaboration with the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance
Tuesday May 7, 2024
5 PM – 8 PM EST
Nursing Lounge Rm 322, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street
Opening remarks by Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada
Moderated by Shanique Victoria Edwards, CBNA Director Mental Health Outreach and Strategy
Join members of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliances (CBNA) for an open discussion and learning opportunity about mental wellness for Black nurses and nursing students. This panel event will discuss ways in which nurses can learn to identify and deconstruct the narratives that we carry in invisible backpacks far from the conscious mind, through insights from experts and engaging networking activities.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada
Dr. Leigh Chapman’s nursing career has spanned almost 20 years, and in that time she has gained a deep understanding of nursing through a variety of clinical leadership positions in home and community care, research, academic, regulatory, and professional practice environments. Her background in direct service provision includes critical care (i.e. intensive care unit, emergency department), community care (i.e. home care, harm reduction, and camp nursing), as well as education in professional associations (i.e. the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario). Dr. Chapman has a Master of Science in Clinical Health Sciences from the Nursing Graduate Program at McMaster University. In 2019, Dr. Chapman completed her doctoral work at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto.
Shanique Victoria Edwards, CBNA Director Mental Health Outreach and Strategy
Shanique Victoria Edwards is an Ontario-based Psychotherapist registered with the registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO). She is a Mental Health Consultant with Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC) and she serves as a member of their national Circle of Leaders. Shanique is Director of Mental Health, Outreach and Strategy with Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA). She is also the Knowledge Translation Specialist at the Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). She serves on the steering committee for the Health Research Council for People of African Descent. Learn more about Shanique Victoria Edwards
Stacy-Ann Buchanan
Highlighted as an influential leader within her respective communities, Stacy-Ann Buchanan has been courageous and vulnerable in sharing her past experiences with anxiety and suicidal depression. As a result, Ms. Buchanan has landed numerous keynote speaking engagements across North America and the Caribbean. Additionally, her empowering narrative has led to her facilitating multiple workshops that focus on demystifying the stigmas of mental health in the Black and racialized communities across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Her impactful journey extends to the literary realm, as she is the author of the well-received book, “Good For You: 114 Mindful Practices Every Woman Can Adopt For A More Harmonious Life.” This significant addition to her portfolio further emphasizes her commitment to holistic well-being and empowering women to cultivate a more harmonious life.
Her body of work has firmly pivoted her career on challenging systemic anti-Black racism by taking holistic approaches to dismantle the stigmas of how mental health is constructed. Buchanan’s ultimate objective is to authenticate the Black narrative by raising awareness, directing positive dialogues to fuel resources, and orchestrating safe and constructive spaces for Black voices to be amplified.
Eseimuede James Ehiagwina
James Ehiagwina is a dedicated second-year nursing student at York University, where he actively engages with various student groups to foster a strong sense of community on campus. Currently, he holds the position of president for the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA) York University chapter, where he works eagerly to promote diversity and inclusion in the nursing field. In addition to his role with CBNA-YorkU, James also serves as the cohort representative for the Nursing Students Association at York University (NSAY), where he advocates for the needs and interests of his fellow nursing students. Furthermore, he dedicates his time to working part-time as a Student Success peer mentor for the Black Excellence at York University team (BE YU), where he provides guidance and support to his peers. Beyond his academic pursuits and campus involvement, James remains deeply committed to making a positive impact in his community, particularly in the realm of mental health and wellness. He is currently a member of the National Youth Council for Kids Help Phone. As an advocate for mental health awareness, James utilizes this platform to raise awareness and support for youth struggling with mental health issues. In his leisure time, James enjoys partaking in activities such as playing frisbee with friends and indulging in his love for movies. With a clear sense of purpose and a passion for helping others, James is determined to pursue his goal of becoming a registered nurse. He is eager to leverage his skills, knowledge, and compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves.
Anita Owusu
As a dedicated psychotherapist based in Toronto, Anita Owusu is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support individuals through their most challenging and vulnerable moments. Equipped with extensive training in Psychodynamic, Mindfulness, EMDR, and CBT modalities, she offers support ranging from trauma and depression to anxiety, anger, and relational issues. Outside her professional life, Anita derives joy and balance from cherished moments with her children, exploring the world, engaging in yoga and mindfulness practices, cooking, exercising, and sharing heartfelt laughter and experiences with her loved ones.