Developing best practices for culturally appropriate programming to promote mental health equity among BIPOC youth

Karen Leung

Impact

  • Jack.org continues to seek partnerships to enable BIPOC youth in Canada to receive appropriate mental health programming that is inclusive and recognizes the different adversities that these youth encounter.

  • Establishing different partnerships will allow for knowledge exchange in the context of BIPOC youths mental health which will bring awareness to BIPOC youths and their mental health needs and further promote health equity across Canada.

  • The research project received additional funding through Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Western Graduate Research Scholarship and Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

  • Ontario

  • Studentship

  • Western University

  • Jack.org

  • Mitacs

  • 2021-2022

  • Children and Youth Mental Health

  • Youth (aged 13-18), Indigenous, Racialized Communities

About the Project

This research project’s main objective was to develop best practice guidelines for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth with higher risks of developing mental health problems. The researcher aimed to provide culturally appropriate programs and support partnerships with diverse organizations serving BIPOC youth and improve their access to mental health support. The findings were utilized to promote mental health equity (right to access mental health resources and support) by developing guidelines into the Jack.org programs (e.g. Jack Talks, Chapters, Summit) that would be available for youth across Canada.

Methodology

Data was collected with a focus on implementing mental health programming for different BIPOC groups within Jack.org and exploring different organizations and community services dedicated to supporting BIPOC youth mental health in communities across Canada where Jack.org operates. This added value to improving planning strategies in organizations, including identifying opportunities for BIPOC-focused organizations to collaborate with Jack.org. Lastly, data collected from focus groups/sharing circles explored mental health topics to gain insight into their experiences and beliefs. Acknowledging the lived experiences of BIPOC youth is crucial to establishing culturally appropriate programs.

Findings

  • Approximately 2,000 BIPOC youth activists expressed a strong interest in better serving BIPOC communities in mental health programs and services.

Resources Created

  • 1 Academic Paper