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ACB Wellness Newsletter

Introduction to the ACB Wellness Project (Issue 1)
 

In this issue:

  • About the ACB Wellness Project

  • Preliminary Findings

  • Statistics from Literature

  • Resources and Tools

About the ACB Wellness Project

Introduction

Studies have shown that African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities in Canada experience challenges when seeking mental health support. Challenges include recognizing mental health symptoms, knowing when and where to get support, and stigma (Connor, 2010; Taylor, 2018). Vance (2019) found that Black Canadians are about six times more likely to have depressive symptoms, some of which are exacerbated by issues of racism and discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of most Canadians and situations were worse for racialized communities (Findlay, 2020).
 

Main Objective

This project aims to uncover and assess barriers encountered by ACB communities with the intent of providing an innovative multi-faceted approach to overcome these barriers. Additionally, the project aim is to increase the overall mental health awareness, systems navigation and support for the ACB community. 
 

Expected outcomes

Improved mental health for the ACB community through increased awareness, and early seeking of support services; increased knowledge of the mental health barriers and challenges faced by the ACB community; and increased service provider support strategies to assist ACB clients in overcoming barriers to access and navigate mental health support systems.
 

Preliminary Findings

  • Stigma is a barrier to awareness and impacts seeking mental health support
  • Religion and spirituality impact awareness and treatment seeking behaviors
  • Younger generation is more self-aware of mental health issues and open to seeking mental health support
  • LGBTQIA2S+ and immigrants face unique mental health challenges
  • Systems navigation delays access to mental health support
  • Lack of financial resources exacerbate the situation

Statistic Data

  • Visible minority groups were more likely to report that the pandemic has had a "moderate" or "major" impact on their ability to meet their financial obligations compared with the white population (Moyser, 2020)
  • The Black community in Canada is 1.2 million people, representing 3.5% of the total population (Cénat et al., 2021)
  • The mental health system waiting list for ACB Canadian populations was 16 months as compared to 7 months for white people. (Fante-Coleman & Jackson-Best, 2020)
  • People experiencing a high level of racial discrimination are 36.4% more likely to present severe depressive symptoms when compared to those reporting a low level of discrimination (Cénat et al., 2021)
  • Among all immigrants, those recently arrived had the highest proportion (64.3%) of first contact in the mental health emergency department (Saunders et al., 2018)
  • South Asian and Black participants were more likely to report somewhat/much worse mental health since physical distancing began due to COVID-19 (Moyser, 2020)
  • Black adults (ages 18-25) experience higher rates of mental health problems and lower rates of mental health service use (Vance, 2019)

Resources & Tools

Alberta

Addiction and Mental Health (Alberta Health Services)

Information about addiction and mental health supports, the naloxone program and supervised consumption services.

Alberta Black Therapists Network

A federally and provincially registered not for profit that promotes an integrated, holistic and collaborative approach to mental health and addiction services for the Black communities in Alberta. 

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Alberta Division

 Supports provincial-wide community mental health projects, mental health advocacy, government relations and workplace mental health training.

Help Right Now - Alberta (Canadian Mental Health Association)

Telephone resources for immediate mental health support.

Mental Health Help Line (Alberta Health Services)

A 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 days a year, confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns.

Mental Health Support (Alberta Blue Cross)

Information about mental health and wellness, and mental health supports. 

National

Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC)

Advocates for culturally safe, accessible and affordable mental health care to the diverse Black communities in Canada. 

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 

CMHA is a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness.

Mental Health Support: Get Help 

Free and confidential mental health and substance use support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Wellness Together Canada.

Learn more

Mental Health and the Black narrative – breaking down barriers

HealthyPlace Mental Health Newsletter

 

References

Cénat, J. M., Kogan, C., Noorishad, P., Hajizadeh, S., Dalexis, R. D., Ndengeyingoma, A., & Guerrier, M. (2021). Prevalence and correlates of depression among Black individuals in Canada: The major role of everyday racial discrimination. Depression & Anxiety. 38(9), 886–895. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23158

Conner, K. O., Lee, B., Mayers, V., Robinson, D., Reynolds, C. F., Albert, S., & Brown, C. (2010). Attitudes and beliefs about mental health among African American older adults suffering from depression. Journal of Aging studies, 24(4), 266–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2010.05.007

Fante-Coleman, T., & Jackson-Best, F. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to accessing mental healthcare in Canada for Black youth: A scoping review. Adolescent Research Review, 5(2), 115–136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-020-00133-2

Findlay L.C., Arim, R., & Kohen, D. (2020). Understanding the perceived mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Reports, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202000400003-eng

Moyser, M. (2020). The mental health of population groups designated as visible minorities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-0001/2020001/article/00077-eng.htm

Saunders, N.R., Gill, P.J., Holder, L., Vigod, S., Kurdyak, P., Gandhi, S., & Guttmann, A. (2018). Use of the emergency department as a first point of contact for mental health care by immigrant youth in Canada: a population-based study. CMAJ, 190(40), E1183-E1191. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.180277

Taylor, R. E. (2018). Explaining intentions to seek mental health services among Black Canadians [Master Thesis. University of Windsor]. UWindsor Electronic Theses and Dissertations. https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/7579/

Vance, T. A. (2019). Addressing mental health in the Black community. Columbia Psychiatry. https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/addressing-mental-health-black-community

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