“Mental Health as Global Development Imperative”
By
Dr. Andy (Kwaku) Kusi-Appiah
President & CEO,
Environmental Stewardship Solutions (ESS)
Adj. Research Professor,
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
–
Launch of Canada Afrique Care Foundation (CAFCO),
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 18, 2026.
—
—
Good morning, distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends, I am my grandmother’s son!
My name is Kwaku Kusi-Appiah, born and fufued in Africa and now a proud resident of Ottawa, Canada.
As a former youth soccer coach, I often reminded my players that mental health is much like a sports injury: it requires timely attention, intentional care, and a thoughtful game plan for recovery. And just like in sport, healing is rarely a solo effort, it takes a team.
On a more formal note, I am deeply honoured to join you today. I extend my sincere gratitude to the organizers for the invitation to deliver this keynote address at the launch of the Canada Afrique Care Foundation (CAFCO) here in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Montreal.
Montreal is not only one of Canada’s great urban centres, but also a global city where language, identity, & culture intersect in meaningful ways. Its strong Francophone heritage reminds us that well-being is not only about physical and mental health, but also about belonging, expression, and cultural continuity.
I would also like to warmly welcome our guests who have travelled from across the African continent, my motherland, to be here today. Your presence honours this occasion.
As we gather, we acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka people, who have stewarded this land for generations. This recognition calls us to reflect on our shared responsibility to pursue reconciliation, respect Indigenous knowledge systems, and foster inclusive communities.
In my work as a research professor in political ecology, I have explored the intersections of environmental stewardship, water accessibility, and mental health. These connections are not abstract; they are deeply lived & profoundly important.
Through my work with Environmental Stewardship Solutions (ESS), where I serve as President & CEO, I have witnessed firsthand how reconnecting people with nature can transform lives.
At Akrobonsu farm, located within Ottawa’s greenbelt, we host community-based programs that enable individuals to grow food, reconnect with the land, and find moments of peace in the natural world. Time and again, we see how these experiences help reduce stress, restore balance, & nurture wellbeing.
Scholars such as Bratman and colleagues have demonstrated that exposure to nature can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, and enhance cognitive functioning. These findings affirm what many of us intuitively know: we are not separate from nature; we are part of it. As I often say, I am nature, and nature is among our most powerful forms of medicine.
This idea is not new. Hippocrates, often regarded as the father of modern medicine, reminded us centuries ago:
“Let food be thy medicine & medicine be thy food.”
(Translated by W.H.S. Jones, 1923)
Hippocrates’ insights into the relationship between balance, environment, and well-being continue to resonate today. While his theory of the 4 humors may no longer guide modern medicine, his recognition of the deep connection between mind and body remains foundational.
But let me pause and ask a fundamental question: why are we here today?
We are here because mental health is not a peripheral concern, it is central to human development. It always has been!
Mental health, as defined by Corey Keyes (2015), is a state of well-being in which individuals realize their abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
In this sense, mental health is also a development imperative. In his book “Development as Freedom”, Amartya Sen (1999) reminds us that:
“development consists of the removal of various types of unfreedoms that leave people with little choice and little opportunity of exercising their reasoned agency. The removal of substantial unfreedoms, it is argued here, is constitutive of development.”
(Sen, 1999).
In other words, our mental well-being both shapes and is shaped by all our freedoms.
Yet despite its importance, mental health remains underfunded, under-discussed, &, too often, stigmatized. At times, individuals experiencing mental health challenges are marginalized rather than supported, denied access to the very services designed to help them heal and thrive.
The global statistics are sobering. Mental health disorders cost the world economy approximately one trillion dollars each year. In many parts of Africa, up to 90% of individuals living with mental health conditions receive no formal treatment. Behind these figures are real people, families & communities, seeking care, dignity, & hope.
Here in Canada, 1 in 5 people experiences a mental health challenge in any given year. In Montreal, and in cities like Ottawa, young people in particular report rising levels of anxiety and depression. These patterns cut across geography, culture, and socioeconomic status, underscoring the urgency of collective action.
In my role as a board member with Upstream Ottawa, I see both the challenges & the opportunities. We are working to advance mental wellness, particularly among visible minority youth, including those of African and Caribbean descent. Their voices matter deeply, and their well-being is essential to our shared future.
In my recent book, “Ubuntu Unbound: Overcoming Barriers, Making Champions, Building Community,” (which will hit the shelves next month), I explore the principle of interconnectedness. As the philosophy of Ubuntu teaches us: “I am because we are,” our mental health is not isolated, it is relational, communal, and interdependent.
So, what must we do together? Allow me to offer 4 calls to action:
First, reimagine development >>> Let us move beyond narrow economic metrics & embrace holistic, human-centered approaches that prioritize well-being, social connection, and environmental sustainability.
Second, invest in mental health
>>> We must allocate sustained resources to accessible, community-based mental health services, designed by communities, for communities. Governments at all levels have a critical role to play in ensuring equitable access to care.
Third, foster global collaboration >>>Mental health challenges do not respect borders. We must strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, & co-create innovative solutions that address disparities across regions.
*Fourth, empower youth” >>>Young people must not only be included but centered in decisionmaking processes. We must amplify their voices and support their leadership in shaping healthier futures.
CAFCO is more than an organization, it is a movement! A movement to reimagine development, to centre dignity and well-being, and to build a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Let us commit, individually and collectively, to advancing this vision.
The time for action is now.
The time for transformation is now!
Let us rise to this moment with purpose and with compassion, forging a path that prioritizes mental health, strengthens communities, and uplifts humanity.
Miigwech. Asante sana. Meda mo ase. Akpe kakaka. Zikomo kwambiri. Tawonga chomene. Merci.
Naagode.
Thank you.