Authors
Bukola Salami, Yawa Idi, Yar Anyieth, Lisa Cyuzuzo, Benjamin Denga, Dominic Alaazi, Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika
Location
Alberta, Canada
Context
The Black population in Canada is growing. In the 2021 census, 1.5 million people in Canada reported being Black. The largest increase is 349,000 persons during the period 2016-2021. The population is also younger, with a median age of 30.2 years, compared to 41.2 years for the general population. There is little research on the factors that contribute to the mental health of Black youth in Canada. This study examined these factors for young people of African descent, living in Alberta.
Data was collected from April 2019 - January 2020 with a diverse sample of Black youth aged 16–30 years. Thirty youth participated in in-depth interviews and 99 in four conversation cafés. The researchers used a youth-led participatory action research approach and an intersectional feminist theoretical perspective to underpin the study.
Findings
The researchers presented findings on both the risk and protective factors that influence the mental health of young people in this study. Anti-Black racism and intergenerational tensions were the most discussed influences on mental health.
Anti-Black racism and microaggression: Racism was described as extremely damaging to self-esteem and a sense of self. Within the workplace, racial discrimination led to feelings of being degraded or treated unfairly based solely on skin colour. Study participants saw overt racism as easier to identify, recognize and react to, than microaggressions. Male participants felt they needed to prove themselves innocent, as the general perception is that they are guilty. Race and gender intersected to shape the experience of Black males.
Generational gap: Participants felt many older persons in their community were skeptical of the existence or impact of mental health issues. This perception served as barrier to discussing mental health with parents because of fear of being misunderstood, judged or stigmatized.
Religion: Some participants felt conflicted and not being faithful to their religious beliefs with seeking help outside their religion, particularly if their religion was fundamental to their core values. Others felt relying only on religion and not seeking professional help can prolong an issue.
Sense of accomplishment: Academic achievements served as affirmations that boosted self-esteem of participants. Education is a measure of success within Black communities, and youth confirmed the connection between good grades and good mental health.
Sense of community: Participants found comfort in being surrounded by people who could relate to and understand their specific experiences as Black youth. They drew on this feeling of belonging and connection for strength and support. A strong community foundation appeared to assist participants in finding their niche and a clear understanding of where they belong.
Spirituality: Some study participants felt that their spirituality allowed them to remain anchored in situations when they experienced mental health challenges; it served as a coping tool when they lacked access to professional mental health services. They used their faith to ground themselves. Although religion was identified as a constraint, spirituality was perceived as a protective factor for mental health.
How does this research apply to my work?
- The authors noted that to improve the mental health of Black youth, racism intersectional experiences and mental health related stigma need to be addressed.
- Normalize conversations with parents about mental health in an effort to bridge the generational gap and create settings to build trust. Introduce programs and initiatives that create spaces for open conversations and empathy between parents, children and peers.
- Participants found that the opportunity to be open and be transparent about their mental health had a positive effect because it reduced stigma and allowed them to talk about the state of their mental health without feeling judged. The researchers stated the conversation cafes created community and served as an outlet for Black youth to discuss issues of concern to them. Tangible tools can be offered to address some of the issues youth faced.
- Include culturally competent frameworks to better understand the complex social positions of Black youth and their challenges. An example, cited by the researchers, is that spirituality positively contributed to study participants’ mental health and can be integrated into mental health services.
What should I take away from this research?
Direct and indirect forms of racism such as microaggression have a detrimental effect on the mental wellbeing of Black youth. These effects are often expressed as stress, anxiety, suicide and disparities in access to mental health care and support. Addressing anti-Black racism, strengthening parent-child relationships and creating safe settings to promote mental health have been identified as positive factors for Black youth. These protective factors along with others, will contribute to the goal of health equity, which is, everyone given a fair opportunity to achieve their fullest health potential.