A new mental health resource for the Black community: launch of the Black Mental Health web platform
Repentigny, November 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A new mental health resource for the Black community: launch of the Black Mental Health web platform
Repentigny (QC), November 27, 2025 – Black Mental Health, An innovative digital platform today unveils a resource and support space designed specifically for Quebec's Black community. This tool connects Quebec's Black community with qualified psychologists and therapists who understand the cultural realities, experiences, and challenges faced by this community. This resource is made possible thanks to the support of the Health Agency of Canada, which supports initiatives promoting access to appropriate and inclusive mental health services.
A response to a real need
Mental health in the Black community is too often neglected or poorly served due to cultural, linguistic, or institutional barriers. The platform offers a space where you can find trusted professionals where social connection and personal growth are at the heart of every approach.
Professional support that is tailored and culturally sensitive
With over 30 professionals currently listed and based in several cities, the platform Black Mental Health It offers a range of resources in French, English, Creole, Lingala, Kinyarwanda, and several other languages spoken in the community. The goal: to provide robust clinical support rooted in an understanding of individual, cultural, and collective realities.
How does it work?
Users can explore resources via the website, choose a professional based on their needs and language, and then begin flexible support. The interface also aims to demystify therapy and encourage a proactive approach to mental health.
About the Black Mental Health Platform
It is A Quebec-based platform created for the Black community to facilitate access to culturally appropriate mental health services. It is based on an approach of proximity, trust, and clinical excellence.
-30-
For more information
Website: https://santementale.lakay.quebec
Press contact: info@lakay.quebec
Lakay Media launches the 4th edition of the writing competition “My pen against racism and racial profiling”
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Date: October 13, 2025
Montreal, QC — Lakay Media announces the official launch of the 4th edition of the writing competition “My pen against racism and racial profiling”, under the theme «Our voices in the face of silence».
This competition, which has become an essential event for high school students, invites students to express their thoughts, emotions and experiences regarding the realities of racism and racial profiling through the power of words.
A platform for young voices
Aimed at high school students in the greater Montreal and Lanaudière region, the competition encourages literary creation in all its forms—poem, slam, narrative, or argumentative text. The goal: to offer a space for expression and peaceful resistance, where every word becomes an act of courage and humanity.
«Our young people have powerful voices. This competition allows them to transform their experiences, their anger or their hope into a work that brings about change,» emphasizes the Lakay Media team.
Important Dates
• Deadline for submitting texts: February 6, 2026
• Awards ceremony: March 28, 2026
Prizes to be won
Six prizes will be awarded to recognize the creativity and depth of the texts:
· 1st prize of the 1st cycle: 500 $
• 2nd prize of the 1st cycle: 250 $
• 1st prize of the 2nd cycle: 500 $
• 2nd prize of the 2nd cycle: 250 $
• «People’s Choice» Award: 500 $
• Prize for best English-language text: 500 $
How to participate
Participants must submit an original, unpublished, and personal text of no more than two pages, in Word format, before February 6, 2026, to the email address indicated on the official website: www.lakaymedia.org/concours-de-texte
-30-
LAKAY launches the project "Together for Equity in Health"«
A commitment to the mental health of Black communities in Lanaudière
Repentigny, September 18, 2025 – The LAKAY organization is proud to announce the implementation of the «Together for Equity in Health» project, an innovative initiative funded by Health Canada through the Black Community Mental Health Fund.
This project aims to address the mental health inequalities experienced by Black communities, particularly in the Lanaudière region. Faced with challenges related to systemic racism, socio-economic inequalities, and a lack of access to culturally appropriate services, these communities face increased risks of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Through workshops, training sessions, discussion groups, and tailored resources, LAKAY will work hand in hand with community members, local institutions, and healthcare professionals to:
- Reduce barriers to access to mental health services; ;
- Equipping and raising awareness among stakeholders about the realities experienced by Black communities; ;
- Create inclusive support networks, adapted to different subgroups (young people, single-parent families, newcomers, women, seniors).
The project will be deployed in a hybrid format – in person in schools, community centers and leisure spaces, but also online to promote accessibility.
With "Together for Equity in Health", LAKAY continues its mission to promote equity and inclusion, by offering concrete and sustainable solutions to improve mental health and strengthen the resilience of Black and racialized communities in Lanaudière.
-30-
Lakay celebrates the success of its first cohort of the Youth Integration project in three Canadian provinces
Repentigny, August 17, 2025 –LAKAY is proud to announce the official closing of the first cohort of its ambitious project Youth integration, an innovative socio-professional support program that took place simultaneously in three Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario (Toronto) and Quebec.
For six intensive months, young adults who were far removed from the job market or the education system benefited from a comprehensive training program combining personal development workshops, digital skills training, career guidance, and work immersion. This program aimed to break down isolation, combat school dropout, and promote lasting integration into society.
At the end of this first cohort, The majority of young people have found a job or have returned to their studies, This is proof of the program's transformative impact. More than just a training project, Youth integration focused on human support, by integrating a personalized mentoring system. Each young person was paired with a volunteer mentor who listened to them, advised them, valued them and supported them throughout their journey.
«Before starting this program, I didn’t believe in myself. I was convinced I had nothing to offer. Thanks to the workshops, my mentor, and the group, I discovered I had strengths. Today, I work in a company where I feel respected, and I’m considering going back to school to finish my vocational diploma. This project has changed my life.»
— Jason M., Toronto cohort participant
For LAKAY, this project is part of a broader commitment to promoting the social and economic inclusion of young people from immigrant backgrounds, who often face systemic barriers and a lack of representation in the professional world. This first cohort is a great success, and already, a second wave of recruitment is being prepared in all three provinces.
Lakay would like to warmly thank all the mentors, community partners and the Government of Canada who made this human and educational adventure possible.
LAKAY DEMANDS A SECOND INDEPENDENT STUDY ON RACIAL PROFILING IN REPENTIGNY
LAKAY is formally requesting that the City of Repentigny commission a second independent study on racial profiling without delay. This request is motivated by the lack of concrete evidence demonstrating real changes since the first study conducted five years ago, and by the persistent concerns expressed by Black citizens of Repentigny.
The first study, commissioned by the previous city administration and conducted by a group of independent academic researchers, revealed an alarming situation in June 2021: Black people were three times more likely to be stopped by the police than other citizens. These clear and concerning results demanded strong action.
During the last municipal election campaign, a survey conducted by the firm Léger Survey revealed that racial profiling was among the main concerns of the citizens of Repentigny.
However, four years after they came to power, no new independent study has been conducted to evaluate the actions implemented. Meanwhile, in July 2022, the City of Repentigny and two of its police officers were convicted of racial profiling against a Black citizen, demonstrating that discriminatory practices persist.
Furthermore, four years after the death of Jean René Junior Olivier, a Black man following a police intervention in Repentigny, on the 1ster August 2021, LAKAY seriously questions what has truly changed in the ways of doing things at the municipal police.
The organization also calls on municipal political parties: What concrete measures do they intend to propose to put an end to random interceptions and stops targeting Black people in Repentigny?
It's time to act. Talk is no longer enough. We demand transparency, accountability, and concrete actions.
— 30 —
LAKAY welcomes the Human Rights Tribunal's decision against racial profiling in Terrebonne
LAKAY welcomes the Human Rights Tribunal's decision against racial profiling in Terrebonne
Repentigny, May 14, 2025 – LAKAY welcomes the decision rendered by the Human Rights Tribunal in the case between Mr. Ted Michel and the Terrebonne City Police Service (SPVT). The judgment, which recognizes that Mr. Michel was unjustly stopped and penalized because of the colour of his skin, marks a significant step in the fight against racial profiling in Quebec.
The facts are troubling: Mr. Michel, a 42-year-old Black man, was pulled over by two police officers for no infraction. His only fault, according to the court, was making eye contact with the officers. Although he was wearing his seatbelt and not using his cell phone while driving, he still received tickets totaling 1002 $. The judge described the officers' motives as "implausible" and concluded that their intervention was based on racial prejudice.
The Tribunal not only ordered the payment of 15,000 $ in damages to Mr. Michel, but also imposed concrete measures to curb racial profiling in police practices, including mandatory training provided by a racial profiling expert, as well as the systematic collection of data on the perceived racial affiliation of people intercepted by the SPVT.
«This decision validates what racialized communities have been denouncing for years: racial profiling is a systemic reality in Quebec. The case of Mr. Michel – stopped simply because he held the police officers» gaze – is a disturbing demonstration of this. The Court recognized that if Mr. Michel had been white, the police officers would not have stopped him,” emphasizes Pierre Richard Thomas, director of LAKAY.
For several years, LAKAY has been supporting victims of racial profiling, systemic discrimination, and abuse of authority in the Lanaudière region. Our services include support with the Human Rights Commission, assistance during police ethics hearings, and human and legal support in cases involving the Youth Protection Services (DPJ) or other agencies. Mr. Michel's case demonstrates once again the necessity of these services.
LAKAY calls on all police forces in Quebec to learn from this ruling. It is time to move from words to action: every citizen, regardless of their origin, has the right to respect for their dignity and to true equality before the law.
We commend Mr. Michel's courage in choosing to denounce this injustice and encourage all victims of racial profiling to speak out. This decision sends a clear message: racial profiling has no place in our institutions.
Lakay deplores the Legault government's decision to contest the ruling on racial profiling
Repentigny, December 5, 2024 — The organization Lakay expresses its profound disappointment with the decision by the Quebec government, led by François Legault, to appeal to the Supreme Court the Quebec Court of Appeal's ruling that prohibits traffic stops without just cause. This practice has been recognized by the courts as a source of racial profiling, particularly affecting Black communities.
In October 2024, the Court of Appeal upheld the Superior Court's 2022 ruling, declaring random traffic stops unconstitutional due to their link to racial profiling. Despite this double judicial recognition, the government persists in defending this practice by taking the case to the country's highest court.
Pierre-Richard Thomas, head of Lakay, emphasizes: «This decision demonstrates a blatant lack of consideration for the suffering of Black communities, who experience the consequences of racial profiling on a daily basis. By choosing to contest this ruling, the government is sending a clear message: road safety takes precedence over the fundamental rights and dignity of racialized people.»
Lakay reminds us that racial profiling is not an abstraction, but a reality experienced by many citizens. Studies and reports, including the one published in 2021 by our organization, have documented the extent of this phenomenon in Repentigny, highlighting the municipal government's inaction in the face of this issue.
Furthermore, the Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission has repeatedly called for systemic solutions to combat racial profiling and systemic discrimination against racialized youth. Despite these calls, concrete actions have been slow to materialize.
«We will not remain silent in the face of injustice. We will continue to fight for a fair society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of the color of their skin or their ethnic origin,» says Mr. Thomas.
Lakay calls on the government to reconsider its position and put in place concrete measures to eradicate racial profiling, rather than defending practices recognized as discriminatory by the courts.
Third edition of the "My Pen Against Racism and Racial Profiling" competition: An open door to the entire Greater Montreal area!
Third edition of the "My Pen Against Racism and Racial Profiling" competition: An open door to the entire Greater Montreal area!
Repentigny, November 12, 2024 — Lakay is proud to announce the third edition of the "My Pen Against Racism" contest, a flagship event to mark the Week of Action Against Racism. This year, for the first time, the contest is open not only to schools in the Lanaudière region, but also to those in the greater Montreal area, offering a unique opportunity for young people from different communities to express their views on racism and contribute to building a more inclusive society.
""My Pen Against Racism" is a literary competition that invites secondary school students to express themselves, through poetry, short stories, or essays, about experiences, ideas, or reflections on racism and racial profiling. This competition aims to raise awareness among young people about the realities of racism, promote diversity, and encourage students to share their voices in a space where their stories are valued.
Expanding the competition to the greater Montreal area is an initiative aimed at increasing the impact of this event and offering more young people the opportunity to participate in this movement for change. Through this expansion, Lakay hopes to bring together even more participants and help create a space for dialogue that transcends geographical boundaries.
Applications are open until February 28, 2025. Participants will have the chance to win numerous prizes and have their work published, thus increasing the visibility of their contributions within the community. The awards ceremony will take place on March 29, 2025, with special guests to celebrate the region's young talent.
For more information about the competition or to register, please visit our website: https://lakaymedia.org/concours-de-texte/