Notes

The nature of the Black Womxn Sacred Health Project required a level of self-reflection that was sometimes emotionally and physically taxing on the participants. Approximately 40% of those who had a reduced ability to dedicate large
amounts of time to self-care in their day-to-day lives, were triggered by high emotions during the intensives. The Anitafrika Method supported the participants by offering them diverse self-care tools as well as meditation, self-actualization, art creation and leadership excercises as coping and healing strategies.  

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• The research illustrates the need for an increased focus on the needs of racialised womxn within the healthcare system

• Participation in the Anitafrika Method proved to be effective in engaging communities facing multiple barriers in the health-care system 

• The project allowed for the exploration of arts-based health intervention, offering Black and diverse womxn clear tools of self-growth, self-actualization and personal leadership, using storytelling as a key component. 

• The data collected allows for the creation of materials and resources that can be used by the participants and their communities

• All participants completed the method workshops, becoming agents of change first and foremost for themselves, as well as for their communities

• 100% of participants reported reduced stress, improved stress management and ability to cope with the difficulties in life post the Anitafrika Intensive 

• 100% of participants would return to an Anitafrika Method intensive in the near future

• 100% of participants believed that the health care system should incorporate arts-based health intervention into their regular practice

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Principle - Self knowledge (Who Am I, How Am I, What is my Purpose)

• 90% of participants reported that their health care providers showed no particular interest in their holistic well being

• 85% of participants shared that they ignore certain signs of physical and mental illness in the hopes that they will disappear

• 90% of participants were clear about what their core life values are and felt a sense of purpose in their lives

• 100% of participants committed to paying closer attention to early warning signs of illness, as an act of self-love

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Principle - Orality (What Stories Have I Been Told/that I believe/that I challenge)

• 70% of participants identified as having had mental health challenges but were ashamed to bring these concerns up with their health care providers for fear of discrimination

• 75% of participants were dissatisfied with the shape and size of their bodies

• 100% of participants committed to telling themselves kinder stories about their own minds and bodies

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Principle - Rhythm (What are your daily holistic health routines)

• 90% of participants identified as routinely missing meals especially breakfast

• 85% of participants identified as sleep deprived averaging 5 hrs a sleep per night

• 70% of participants have no physical exercise routine 

• 85% percent of participants were committed to creating a more balanced daily and weekly rhythm

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Principles - Political Content & Content/Language (Identities, scenarios, behaviours)

• 75% of participants recognized habitual patterned responses to challenging everyday life situations, responses they were invested in changing

• 80% of participants attributed their habitual responses to a high degree of stress and sense of overwhelm. They noted that this stress affected their ability to change their habitual responses.

• 75% percent of participants noted that their habitual responses did not reflect their core values or reinforce their life purpose

• 100% of participants were committed in using stress management techniques to renegotiate their habitual responses to challenging situations

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Principles - Urgency /Sacredness/Integrity

• 95% of participants did not feel they were empowered to focus on what they deemed 'urgent' in their lives

• 90% of participants did not fee that they were empowered to focus on what they deemed 'sacred' in their lives

• 20% of participants felt that they were living their lives with integrity, connected to their core values

• 100% of participants were committed to using the Anitafrika Method as a tool to regain balance and connection to their core values, their urgencies, their sacredness and their integrity

• 100% of participants believed that having holistic balance in their bodies would lead to better health