Black youth in Canada face significant barriers when it comes to accessing mental health services, according to experts. The Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario is working to address these issues by holding a conference for health-care providers to help them provide more culturally-safe care. Many Black youth have experienced trauma, often stemming from racism or discrimination, which can impact their mental health. Due to this, they may express themselves differently than their non-Black peers. However, health-care providers may misinterpret this behavior, leading to misunderstandings and misdiagnoses.
Dr. Amy Gajaria, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, notes that Black youth are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. She explains that mental health-care providers may stop at observing outward behaviors, such as anger and irritability, without delving deeper into potential underlying mental health issues. This can result in misdiagnoses such as ADHD or conduct disorder, which may not accurately address the root causes of the behavior. Additionally, Black youth face longer wait times to access mental health care, with some waiting up to 16 months compared to seven months for white patients, according to a Canadian study in 2015.
Tiyondah Fante-Coleman, a researcher with the Pathways to Care project at the Black Health Alliance, emphasizes the need for more race-based data in Canada to improve mental health care for Black youth. She highlights the various barriers faced by Black youth in accessing mental health services, including financial constraints, lack of providers, stigma, and overwhelmed services. Fante-Coleman also points out that Black youth may be hesitant to seek mental health care due to fears of discrimination or racism within the system, which can lead to delays in receiving treatment and potentially crisis situations.
The mental health system in Canada is described as chaotic for all individuals, but Black youth face additional challenges due to systemic and institutional racism. Fante-Coleman notes that Black youth are more likely to enter the mental health system through encounters with the police or justice system, rather than voluntarily seeking help. This can exacerbate existing issues and lead to overcriminalization in already marginalized communities. It is crucial for all health-care providers to address their biases and assumptions, educate themselves about Black communities, and create a safe and welcoming environment for young Black patients to share their experiences.
Increased representation of Black health-care professionals in the system could help make Black youth feel more comfortable accessing care. However, all health-care providers need to play a role in addressing the disparities faced by Black youth in mental health services. By becoming more culturally competent, health-care providers can work towards providing more effective and inclusive care for all patients, regardless of their race. The goal is to create a system that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to the unique needs of Black youth in Canada.
