ACB Wellness Newsletter

ACB Wellness Newsletter (Issue 6)

About Issue 6

Despite the importance of mental health as a global problem, some individuals equate mental health to mental illness. Mental health is not the same as mental illness. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), good mental health is a state when an individual can cope with normal life stressors. Mental health is just as important as physical health and is in a continuum. Knowing when to seek help is important for wellbeing. There are many barriers that impact mental health support seeking behaviors. Cultural beliefs can impact perceptions, attitudes and mental health support seeking behaviors. In this issue, Hellen Juma highlights some cultural nuances in relation to mental health.

Seeking mental health support is a sign of strength. To collaborate and for more information email ACBWellness@norquest.ca. 

Importance of culture in Afro Black and Caribbean mental wellness
 

“History in its broadest aspect is a record of man’s migration from one environment to another.”
- Ellsworth Huntington, The red man’s continent: A chronicle for aboriginal America (Chapter 1, para. 2)
 

       Mental wellness is a universal concern, yet its understanding and management are profoundly influenced by cultural context. For Afro-Black and Caribbean communities, culture plays a pivotal role in shaping mental health experiences, and influencing how challenges are perceived, addressed, and overcome. Grounded in rich histories, spiritual practices, and collective resilience, these communities present unique perspectives that deserve greater recognition in the broader mental health discourse.

Mental health and migration: ACB immigrant students’ landscape

       According to Statistics Canada (2019), the ACB population in Canada is diverse, with 52% being immigrants, and many arriving from countries such as Nigeria, Jamaica, and Haiti. Statistics show that 56% of Black Canadians are first-generation immigrants, which includes students, while 35% are second-generation.

          Despite their resilience, first-generation immigrants report lower mental health service utilization compared to their Canadian-born counterparts, with only 7.3–8.4% accessing mental health consultations (Ng & Zhang, 2021). There are two main reasons why people migrate: Out of fear or out of desperation. Whatever the reason, migration means leaving behind a familiar culture, familiar people, familiar systems and most often all that one has built over the years, and all that one identifies as their successes (or failures). In my view, it feels like a part of you, the extension of who you identify as, is literally cut off: your identity, your culture, your pride. Thus, the communities they immigrate to need to allow immigrants to mourn that separation and, whenever possible, create opportunities to reconnect with their long-lost identities. Separation from culture causes deep mental rifts in immigrants' minds and although the reasons for migration are valid, that does not veil the fact that loneliness, homesickness, culture shock, and financial shock hit them hard.

          Migration often entails separation from familiar cultural systems, which can result in loneliness, homesickness, and culture shock. An analysis of longitudinal immigrant data reveals that 29% of newcomers reported emotional problems, while 16% experienced high stress levels (Robert & Gilkinson, 2012). Women, refugees, and immigrants from regions like Central and South America were disproportionately affected by emotional strain compared to those from Europe or North America (Robert & Gilkinson, 2012). However, data specifically addressing ACB students’ mental health remains sparse, underscoring the need for targeted research and policies.

           According to an article in the journal Ethnicity & Health, “students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnicity (ACE) encounter unique mental challenges within the Western higher education system, such as feeling constrained in social spaces and perceiving greater stigma about mental health” (Dare et al., 2022, p. 522).  According to the same article, two of the main themes that emerged from interviews with ACE students were cultural “‘beliefs about the non-existence of mental health problems and its spiritual attributions’, [and] ‘family dynamics and the ‘silencing’ of mental problems” (p. 522).

           As the ACB community studying and working abroad thrives, there is a huge need to keep the youth from these communities grounded, healthy and focused. Recent news broadcasts from Canadian media state there is a spike in the number of immigrant professionals leaving the country, among them ACB individuals. The reasons stated by immigration experts included lack of inclusivity, alienation/loneliness, lack of economic growth for individuals, and decaying of the societal norms which initially attracted these individuals to Canada.

Cultural strength as protective factors       

         Culture offers critical protective factors for mental wellness. Afro-Caribbean and Black cultures emphasize community, spirituality, and collective resilience and mentorship, such as the Mental Resilience Mentorship program facilitated by Concordia University of Edmonton and NorQuest College. For students, maintaining ties to cultural traditions and networks can provide a sense of belonging. Celebrations (for instance, the Black History Month activities at NorQuest College), language, music, and spirituality foster identity and provide emotional grounding, reducing the risk of alienation.

         Canadian institutions can also draw on cultural practices to better support ACB students. For example, research shows that students who feel a strong sense of belonging in their educational environment perform better academically and report higher self-esteem (Dost & Mazzoli Smith, 2023). Incorporating Afrocentric perspectives and creating spaces for cultural expression, such as African student unions and mental health programs led by culturally informed professionals, can help mitigate mental health risks.

Systemic barriers and the need for culturally responsive policies

         While access to mental health services remains a challenge, cultural stigma is a significant hurdle. Many ACB immigrants perceive seeking mental health help as a sign of weakness, particularly in contexts where mental health services are not normalized in their home countries (Devonport et al., 2023). Moreover, Canadian mental health services often lack practitioners who understand the nuanced experiences of ACB students, further alienating them from seeking help. Some of the students who are open to seeking mental health services also preferred to speak with individuals who shared similar backgrounds with them (language, cultural or identity).

         Efforts by the Canadian government to address these gaps include initiatives such as Black-led mental health programs under the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. However, more targeted efforts are needed, particularly in academic institutions, to ensure mental health resources are accessible, culturally sensitive, and actively dismantle barriers.

Moving forward: Culturally inclusive approaches

1. Integrating Afrocentric models: Institutions should adopt frameworks that acknowledge the cultural heritage and experiences of ACB students. For example, customized mentorship programs connecting new students with ACB professionals can offer guidance and reduce isolation.
    
2. Training for cultural competence: Educational institutions and health services should train staff to recognize and address the unique mental health needs of ACB students, ensuring services respect cultural values.
   
   As an example, I remember during the Downtown Campus Block Party, meeting an international student from MacEwan University who had started a social platform (Online meet-up) with the logo: “Are you lonely? Scan me for a chat.”
   
   
3. Building peer networks: Creating platforms for ACB students to share their stories and celebrate their cultures promotes peer support and strengthens identity.
    

4. Policy advocacy: Continued advocacy for equitable funding for Black mental health initiatives is crucial. This includes expanding scholarships for ACB students and funding culturally aligned mental health programs.

Conclusion

          Culture is not merely a backdrop for mental health but a central component of wellness, particularly for ACB immigrant students navigating Canada’s academic landscape. Recognizing and addressing systemic barriers while embracing the richness of Afro-Caribbean and Black cultures can significantly improve their mental health outcomes. This integrated approach not only empowers individuals but enriches the cultural fabric of Canadian society.

Mental health resources in Edmonton

You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. There are several places in Edmonton where you can find help and support:

The Africa Centre – Edmonton:

• Specializing in culturally relevant mental health support, and offered by the Alberta Black Therapists Network, the Africa Centre is a community hub where you can connect with others from the African and Caribbean diaspora.
• Location: 6770 129 Ave NW, Edmonton | Website: Africa Centre

Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op:

• If you're looking for support that understands your unique cultural background, this co-op provides mental health services tailored for immigrants and refugees.
• Website: Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op

Student peer support networks:

• Many post-secondaries offer peer support groups or student-led mental health initiatives. These are safe spaces where you can talk about what you’re going through with others who may have similar experiences.

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Campus resources for students

Concordia University of Edmonton: Wellness Resources

Grand MacEwan: Mental Health, Mental Health Resources

Keyano College: Counselling, Health and Wellness Services

NAIT: Mental Health Resources

NorQuest College: Growth and Harmony

Red Dear Polytechnic: Counselling Services

The King’s University: Student Counseling Services

University of Calgary: Mental Health Services

Emergency contacts for students in crisis

If you are in an emergency situation, call 911.

Suicide or distress:

Distress line 24/7:  780-482-4357

Adult Mental Health Crisis Response Team: 780-342-7777

Hope for Wellness (Support for Indigenous people): 1-855-242-3310

Brite line (Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ community): 1-844-702-7483

Sexual/Physical Assault:

Alberta One-Line for Sexual Violence: 1-866-403-8000

Locate a shelter in Alberta: 1-800-331-3933, or 211 in Edmonton

Psychological Concerns (non-emergency):

Mental Health Help Line (Alberta): 1-877-303-2642

Community Services Referral line: 211 in Edmonton

References

Dare, O., Jidong, D. E., & Premkumar, P. (2022). Conceptualising mental illness among University students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnic heritage in the United Kingdom. Ethnicity & Health, 28(4), 522–543. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2022.2104817

Devonport, T. J., Ward, G., Morrissey, H., Burt, C., Harris, J., Burt, S., Patel, R., Manning, R., Paredes, R., & Nicholls, W. (2023). A systematic review of inequalities in the mental health experiences of Black African, Black Caribbean and Black-mixed UK populations: Implications for action. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 10(4), 1669–1681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-022-01352-0

Dost, G., & Mazzoli Smith, L. (2023). Understanding higher education students’ sense of belonging: A qualitative meta-ethnographic analysis. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(6), 822-849. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2023.2191176

Huntington, E. (2013). The red man’s continent: A chronicle of aboriginal America. Yale University Press; Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3066 (Original work published 1919)

Ng, E., & Zhang, H. (2021, June 16). Access to mental health consultations by immigrants and refugees in Canada. Statistics Canada. https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202100600001-eng

Robert, A.-M., & Gilkinson, T. (2012). Mental health and well-being of recent immigrants in Canada: Evidence from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC). Citizenship and Immigration Canada. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/research-stats/mental-health.pdf

Statistics Canada. (2019, February 27). Diversity of the Black population in Canada: An overview. Government of Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-657-x/89-657-x2019002-eng.htm

World Health Organization. (2022, June 17). Mental health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response