Barriers to Mental Health Care for Black Youth in Canada: A Socioecological Perspective
3 days ago 3 days agoBlack Canadians, representing 4.3% of the population, face signicant mental health disparities driven by systemic barriers, racial discrimination, and stigma. Existing research highlights elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, while Black youth continue to face various barriers in accessing mental health care. Using a socioecological perspective, this study explores different levels of barriers to mental health care among Black youth in Canada. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Canada among a sample of 32 Black youth (aged 15–24). Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and interviewed virtually using semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis in NVivo. Thematic analysis revealed interconnected community, relational, and individual barriers to mental health care seeking among Black youth in Canada. Community barriers included harmful stereotypes, mental health stigma within the Black communities, limited awareness of accessible services, and lack of therapist–client racial matching. Relational barriers encompassed parental discouragement and bias on mental health, mistrust of both practitioners and the mental health care system, negative experience with mental health care providers, and social judgement, while individual barriers included denial of mental health care needs and shame. These findings emphasize systemic, cultural, and racial challenges faced by Black youth in the Canadian society. This study underscores the interconnected community, relational, and individual barriers Black youth face in accessing mental health care. Addressing these challenges requires targeted education and mobilization in Black communities, culturally sensitive and antiracist care, training for mental health providers on antiracist care, and a shift in societal attitudes to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.
Cénat, J. M., Manoni-Millar, S., David, A., Darius, W. P., Kogan, C. S., & Dalexis, R. D. (2025). Barriers to mental health care for Black youth in Canada: A socioecological perspective. Canadian Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000419
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Categorised in: Academic Literature
