Produced and directed by Stacy-Ann Buchanan, The Blind Stigma is an award-winning documentary that made Canadian history as the first film to address mental health within the Black community in Canada. Starring Pauleanna Reid, Chivon John, Freddy King, Lisa Gibson, and Stacy-Ann Buchanan, this groundbreaking work chronicles the powerful stories of five individuals, detailing their trials and triumphs with mental health, and bravely sheds light on a topic often shrouded in silence. Each story is complemented by insights from mental health professionals, religious leaders, caregivers, and everyday citizens.

In the Black community, mental health is often seen as a “swept under the rug” stigma, creating harmful misconceptions that have persisted for generations. This stigma significantly impacts the African Canadian response to mental illness, contributing to a reluctance to seek treatment and a lack of research on its effects within the community.

The Blind Stigma boldly dismantles the veil of shame that obscures conversations about mental health, challenges these misconceptions, and provides a platform for Black Canadians living with mental illness to share their voices. The documentary not only informs and empowers but also encourages open dialogue and understanding, leaving audiences with a deeper awareness of the realities faced by the Black community when it comes to mental health.