We are sending our deepest condolences to the family of the those lost in Sunday’s and anti-Muslim hate. Our thoughts are with their family, their son, and our Muslim friends and families who are grieving, feeling scared, frustrated and tired.

We must continue to call out and fight against acts and words of anti-Muslim hate and racism in all its forms, recognizing it is prevalent and entrenched everywhere, including in communities across Canada. This act of violence adds to the cumulative Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate experienced by Muslim Canadians. Anti-Muslim hate and racism causes and contributes to trauma and harms the mental health of our children, youth and families. On top of this, Muslim families face added barriers to accessing culturally appropriate child and youth mental health care.

Thoughts, prayers and statements are not enough – a commitment and concrete steps to dismantle white supremacy and racism are needed. For CMHO, this means embedding an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens into our work with our member child and youth mental health centres and sector partners. It means committing to listening, learning, and working with Muslim community leaders, youth, and families to make our spaces safe and responsive for Muslim youth and families, so we can best support them.

If you or a young person you know are in need of support during this time, please reach out:

• Naseeha Muslim Youth Helpline, call or text at 1-866-627-3342. 12 pm to 12 am, 7 days a week.
• Find a local child and youth mental health centre, many of whom are offering in person and virtual walk-in appointments. Note you may request a therapist who is Muslim: https://cmho.org/findhelp/