Mental Health Advocate | Actress | Filmmaker | Tedx Speaker
Stacy-Ann Buchanan is an actress who worked as stand-in and occasionally photo double for Sonequa Martin-Green on season, one, two and three of Star Trek: Discovery
As an actress, Buchanan appeared in the short project Catalina Yue: Ambition (2010) and in the Shoot the Messenger episode "There Will Be Blood" (2016, with Patrick Kwok-Choon).
In 2015, Buchanan appeared in and directed the documentary The Blind Stigma. She previously produced and created the show The Mystic Effect in 2012 and launched her production company, Stacy-Ann Buchanan Productions in 2013.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My name is Stacy-Ann Buchanan and I'm a Mental Health Advocate, Actress, Filmmaker and Tedx Speaker. My personal journey with anxiety and depression and my desire to change the world's view on mental illness and the stigmas that are affiliated and afflicted upon the Black community is the root of what I do and who I am.
I started out as a professionally trained theatre and film actress with numerous theatre productions, commercials and film credits under her belt. In 2012, I added the title of producer when I created, produced and launched - The Mystic Effect.
A creative arts show that embodies music, poetry, dance, fashion and film. The success of the show prompted me to continue my entrepreneurial journey by establishing my own production company - Stacy-Ann Buchanan Productions. I launched the company in April 2013, and the following year.
In February of 2015, I directed and produced the award winning documentary The Blind Stigma, which made Canadian history when it debuted as the first documentary produced in Canada that takes an in-depth look at how mental health is perceived within the Black community.
In February of 2015, I directed and produced the award winning documentary The Blind Stigma, which made Canadian history when it debuted as the first documentary produced in Canada that takes an in-depth look at how mental health is perceived within the Black community.
The film chronicles the testimonies of five individuals (including myself) on our trials and triumphs with mental health by removing the veil of shame that clouds the topic in the Black communities. In addition, the film challenges that misconception by giving a voice to Black Canadians living with mental illness.
The Blind Stigma as a recognized brand, has since branched out into a podcast that continues to explore such stigmas, dissect the multiple factors that aid towards mental illness in the Black communities and provides a safe space for stories to be heard.
My impact, entrepreneurial work ethic and achievements have led me to being selected as one of the 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, one of the 150 Black Women Making Canada Better, one of the 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health and landing a TEDx Talk.
I'm also co-donor of The Buchanan Scholarship -an educational award that is granted to a student entering their first year of post-secondary education in the Liberal Arts or the Fine Arts program.
2. When did you first decide that you wanted to be a mental health advocate?
Actually, the community bestowed that honour on me. I've always had and highlighted Actress as my top career choice. But the work I've done in my city of Toronto on recognizing mental illness and raising awareness has been highly recognized world-wide, and therefore being bestowed this title is my greatest honour to date and one that I wear proudly.
My impact, entrepreneurial work ethic and achievements have led me to being selected as one of the 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, one of the 150 Black Women Making Canada Better, one of the 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health and landing a TEDx Talk.
I'm also co-donor of The Buchanan Scholarship -an educational award that is granted to a student entering their first year of post-secondary education in the Liberal Arts or the Fine Arts program.
2. When did you first decide that you wanted to be a mental health advocate?
Actually, the community bestowed that honour on me. I've always had and highlighted Actress as my top career choice. But the work I've done in my city of Toronto on recognizing mental illness and raising awareness has been highly recognized world-wide, and therefore being bestowed this title is my greatest honour to date and one that I wear proudly.
3. In today's hyper-converged tech world, what are your thoughts on the current stress conditions?
The current stress condition - no, let me rephrase that....OUR current stress conditioned has spiked. Rapidly. There aren't enough avenues that emphasizes the importance of self-care and rest. Instead we are constantly bombarded on ways to improve our bank account, working hard and the constant praise of "sleeping is for the week".
It is disgusting actually. When did we as a society commend hard work over rest? How will we be able to enjoy the fruits of our labour if our health (emotional, physical, mental and spiritual) is discombobulated? Sleep deprivation is the root of most illnesses and I think the world needs rewrite, rewire and reprogram our minds to understand the importance of taking care of our overall health, mind, body and spirits.
4. What are some of the challenges and roadblocks you have faced along your journey?
The biggest challenge I've personally faced along my journey is getting adequate funding for my work/projects. My aim is to continue creating safe spaces for Black voices to amplify, for our stories to be heard and for our healing to start.
5. What is that one cause you care deeply about and why?
The healing of the Black community. Our journey through this world is deeply rooted from trans-generational trauma and I would like to be a part of a catalytic change in implementing our healing.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
The Bible. It is the matriarch of all books.
4. What are some of the challenges and roadblocks you have faced along your journey?
The biggest challenge I've personally faced along my journey is getting adequate funding for my work/projects. My aim is to continue creating safe spaces for Black voices to amplify, for our stories to be heard and for our healing to start.
5. What is that one cause you care deeply about and why?
The healing of the Black community. Our journey through this world is deeply rooted from trans-generational trauma and I would like to be a part of a catalytic change in implementing our healing.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
The Bible. It is the matriarch of all books.
- Interviewed by - Nishad Kinhikar
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