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Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Help produce an educational film that blends therapy and Vodou to improve mental health care.

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Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Best of Both Worlds: Therapy meets Vodou in Haiti

Help produce an educational film that blends therapy and Vodou to improve mental health care.

Help produce an educational film that blends therapy and Vodou to improve mental health care.

Help produce an educational film that blends therapy and Vodou to improve mental health care.

Help produce an educational film that blends therapy and Vodou to improve mental health care.

Akwatu Khenti
Akwatu Khenti
Akwatu Khenti
Akwatu Khenti
1 Campaign |
Toronto, Canada
$3,536 USD $3,536 USD 73 backers
20% of $17,572 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

*Thank you to all of our backers! For all inquiries about the campaign, please contact us at bestofbothworlds@camh.ca*

What is the Best of Both Worlds campaign? 

This campaign aims to raise $25,000 to produce an educational film that blends two worlds: Haitian Vodou practices and evidence-based therapy. If our goal is met, we will be able to equip 10 Vodou temples with the tools needed to promote a culture of blended mental health therapy within the community. By harnessing the power of storytelling, the educational film will improve engagement and extend the reach and accessibility of mental health information and care in Haiti. 

Specifically, the objectives of this educational film are to:

  • Raise public awareness of mental health issues by creating an engaging storyline based on the Vodou and Haitian reality.
  • Improve access to mental health information by sharing the educational film with ten Vodou temples in Haiti.
  • Build knowledge and skills in mental health care within Vodou communities through continued learning, mentorship and support.

How will the film improve mental health care?

After the tragic earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives and experienced extreme poverty, weakened governance structures, high levels of violence, and alarming environmental degradation. Most troubling, Haitians across the country felt the effects of major trauma and grief in the context of a severely unstable and underdeveloped mental health system. 

   


Individuals in Haiti, regardless of religious affiliation, commonly integrate Vodou culture into their daily life. In contrast to the handful of formal mental health practitioners, there are an estimated 60,000 Vodou priests in Haiti. These priests are often the first point of care for support in times of need, presenting a fortuitous opportunity to improve access to mental health care. 

With support from Grand Challenges Canada, and funding from the Government of Canada, CAMH's Office of Transformative Global Health has partnered with spiritual leaders toward this goal over the last two years. You can read more about the project background and progress here (ou en français).

As the project comes to a close, we hope to produce an educational film to promote and sustain continued learning on mental health within the Vodou community. The film will offer a narrative-based demonstration on how to integrate evidence-based therapy, from assessment to treatment, in the daily practice of Vodou leaders. The end product will be:

  • Culturally relevant.
  • Engaging.
  • Accessible by diverse learning styles.
  • Easily and widely shared.
  • Sustainable over time.
Through this approach, we can better share new techniques and skills that build on the efficacious support systems that already exist in the Vodou community; thereby improving access to mental health care. 


How will the film be produced?



Who will produce the film? 

Haiti's only film school, the Ciné Institute, has the artistic and technical expertise required to execute this film project with high professional quality. The Ciné Institute is dedicated to developing Haiti’s film industry by bringing together leaders in cinema and education to train and support qualified storytellers and technicians needed to facilitate production in the nation. 

Committed to training Haitians to tell their own stories, it was imagined as both jobs training and nation building. The company has helped train dozens of young Haitian filmmakers and produced high quality work for many national and international clients. Clients have included: Black Entertainment Television (BET), Clinton Foundation, Donna Karan, Google, Inter American Foundation (IAF), J/P HRO, the BBC, CARE, UNDP, BRANA, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Take a look at this short demo reel below or click here to watch a video about how the Cine Institute is changing lives through film.

What type of therapy will be used?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an easy to learn, research-supported treatment that focuses on changing patterns of thinking (called cognitions) and changing the actions (called behaviours) that contribute to emotional distress.  

For example, a person who is depressed may have negative thoughts and may avoid their friends and family, making them feel sad and lonely. It becomes a vicious cycle that keeps them feeling bad. CBT can help this person to challenge that belief and change their behaviour to make them feel better. More positive thoughts and changing behaviour in a positive way will lead to more positive feelings. For more information, click here.


How can you help? 

We need your help to reach our $25,000 goal to continue to improve access to mental health care in Haiti. Your contribution to this campaign will support a marginalized community group as well as provide opportunities for aspiring local filmmakers. 

If you are unable to contribute financially, it would be a huge help if you would spread the word about the Best of Both Worlds campaign! 

  • Like us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Visit Windup Restaurant during the month of July and let them know that you would like to support the campaign. They will donate 15% of your bill!!

Special campaign events 

Support this campaign by attending one of our exciting events this month! You can purchase your tickets through the perks listed on the right of this page. Please note: pay what you can (PWYC) tickets for Haiti and Vodou in World History to be reserved through Eventbrite.

        


Where do the funds go?

Who are we? 

As part of the largest mental health and addiction facility in Canada, the Office of Transformative Global Health (OTGH) aims to jointly develop, implement, and sustain collaborative programs for health professionals and allied professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, with a primary focus on capacity building, and health promotion education and training programs. The OTGH has long-standing experience working in Haiti and with Haitian immigrants in Canada dating back to 2008. Visit our campaign website or read the following blogs, which will provide you with a deeper understanding of the work leading up to this initiative. 

  1. Laying the groundwork through relationship building
  2. Information sharing and cultural adaptation process 
  3. Using creative arts to train Haitian spiritual leaders on therapy for “crooked” thoughts
  4. The Best of Both Worlds: Lessons about therapy through Vodou storytelling
Akwatu Khenti is the Director of the OTGH, an Assistant Professor with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and a Co-Principal Investigator of Grand Challenges Canada grant in Haiti. He also led the development of easy-to-follow, culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions for immigrants of Latin American as well as African Caribbean origin (both English and French speaking). Akwatu has a Specialist Degree in Economics and a Masters in Political Science from the University of Toronto and is completing a PhD in health policy and equity at York University. 

Special thanks

And thank you to everyone for your donations, support, and generosity! 

**Note: a printable contribution form to collect cash donations is also available.

** Group pricing available! Inquire via email at bestofbothworlds@camh.ca.

For all inquiries, please contact bestofbothworlds@camh.ca

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Choose your Perk

featured

July 28: Afternoon & Evening

Currency Conversion $46 USD
$65 CAD
You will receive entrance to both the special talk on Vodou and Mental Health (listed as a perk for $25) and evening event in celebration of Haitian culture (listed as a perk for $50) for just $65! You'll get to hear from Vodou Priest, Widner Dumay and spend the evening with Labelle Deessee Sr. and Jr.. This program will run from 2-5pm at George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place) and from 6pm at Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. W.) in Toronto. Just present your confirmation email at the door!
10 out of 30 of claimed

Pat Yourself on the Back

Currency Conversion $7 USD
$10 CAD
You did a good deed.
1 claimed

Personal Twitter Shout-out

Currency Conversion $11 USD
$15 CAD
You will receive a personal shout-out on our Twitter page to express our gratitude.
1 claimed

Full Version of Promo Film

Currency Conversion $14 USD
$20 CAD
You will instantly receive the Vimeo link and password to the extended version of the promotional film featured in this campaign! This 10 minute film provides more insight into Vodou practice, mental health care in Haiti, and the goals of the project from our local partners.
4 claimed

July 28: Vodou & Mental Health

Currency Conversion $18 USD
$25 CAD
Want to hear more from Vodou priest, Widner Dumay, as featured in our video? On Thursday, July 28, you will receive entrance to a truly unique program with keynote by Widner Dumay. Gain insight into the world of authentic Vodou practice and learn about the role Vodou plays in mental health care in Haiti. This program will run from 2-5pm at George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place) in Toronto. Just present your confirmation email at the door!
15 out of 110 of claimed

July 28: Evening Celebration

Currency Conversion $35 USD
$50 CAD
You will receive entrance to our jam-packed evening program in celebration of Haitian culture featuring Labelle Deesse Sr. and Jr. (www.labelledeesse.com), amazing Haitian music with guests Jaffa and DJ Scar, a traditional Vodou ceremony, Haitian inspired hor's d'oeuvres, and more! Doors will open at 6pm at Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. W) in Toronto. Just present your confirmation email at the door!
7 out of 190 of claimed

July 21: Mindfulness Workshop

Currency Conversion $53 USD
$75 CAD
**SPECIAL RATE: Reduced price for community groups and students. What does mindfulness have to offer African and Caribbean communities in Toronto? The full-day, interactive workshop is hosted by Dr Valerie Mason-John, who is a master trainer, inspirational speaker, and life coach. You can watch her TEDx talk here: http://bit.ly/IgLUFN. This program will run on July 21, from 9-5pm at 33 Russell St, Rm 2029 in Toronto. Lunch is provided. Just present your confirmation email at the door!
11 out of 80 of claimed

Credit in Educational Film

Currency Conversion $70 USD
$100 CAD
You will receive a credit as a "Community Sponsor" in the Best of Both Worlds educational film!
2 claimed

July 21: Mindfulness Workshop

Currency Conversion $105 USD
$150 CAD
What does mindfulness have to offer African and Caribbean communities in Toronto? Attend this full day, interactive workshop to find out. The event is hosted by Dr Valerie Mason-John, who is a master trainer, inspirational speaker, and life coach. You can watch her TEDx talk here: http://bit.ly/IgLUFN. This program will run from 9-5pm at 33 Russell Street, Room 2029 in Toronto. Lunch is provided. Just present your confirmation email at the door!
6 out of 83 of claimed

Equip 1 Vodou temple

Currency Conversion $176 USD
$250 CAD
With your generous donation, you will help us equip one Vodou temple with media players, DVDs and supplementary educational materials about therapy and mental health. Your donation will pave the way for Vodou leaders to begin delivering evidence-based therapy to their community members and ultimately improving mental health care. You will receive a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgement of your personal contribution will be included in the materials for the Vodou temple.
1 claimed

Equip 2 Vodou temples

Currency Conversion $351 USD
$500 CAD
With your generous donation, you will help us equip TWO Vodou temples with media players, DVDs and supplementary educational materials about therapy and mental health. Your donation will pave the way for Vodou leaders to begin delivering evidence-based therapy to their community members and ultimately improving mental health care. You will receive a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgement of your personal contribution will be included in the materials for the Vodou temples.
0 claimed

Equip 5 Vodou temples

Currency Conversion $879 USD
$1,250 CAD
With your generous donation, you will help us equip FIVE Vodou temples with media players, DVDs and supplementary educational materials about therapy and mental health. Your donation will pave the way for Vodou leaders to begin delivering evidence-based therapy to their community members and ultimately improving mental health care. You will receive a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgement of your personal contribution will be included in the materials for the Vodou temples.
0 claimed

Equip 10 Vodou temples

Currency Conversion $1,757 USD
$2,500 CAD
With your generous donation, you will help us equip TEN Vodou temples with media players, DVDs and supplementary educational materials about therapy and mental health. Your donation will pave the way for Vodou leaders to begin delivering evidence-based therapy to their community members and ultimately improving mental health care. You will receive a certificate of appreciation and acknowledgement of your personal contribution will be included in the materials for the Vodou temples.
0 claimed

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