Exploring the mental health knowledge and self-care practices for racialized immigrant youth in Regina Saskatchewan
Jordan Sherstobitoff
Impact
Survey findings were developed into research briefs and were disseminated to stakeholders, settlement agencies, ethnic associations, caregivers and health authorities servicing racialized immigrant youth.
Cultural programming has been continued to provide youth with traditional teachings and to foster strong relationships with elders and the community which further enhances the mental health, wellbeing and identity of youth.
The collected information has played a key role in successful projects benefiting immigrant communities in Saskatchewan.
The study also helped in building capacity for youth advisory members who were involved in this project. One immigrant youth will co-author one research paper and has developed a passion for medicine and research.
This project inspired the researcher to create and lead the Graduate Nursing Association at the University of Saskatchewan, dedicated to advocating, supporting, and empowering graduate students.
-
Saskatchewan
-
Studentship
-
University of Saskatchewan
-
Regina Community Clinic
-
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
-
2021-2022
-
Youth Mental Health
-
Youth, Immigrants, Refugees
About the Project
The research project’s objective was to build capacity for immigrant youth to understand the impact of immigration on their mental wellbeing by conducting a survey to access and document the experiences of youth in Regina. A community advisory group, comprised of refugees, students who immigrated for post-secondary education and youth who immigrated with their families of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, was established to advise on the project.
Methodology
The researcher developed a survey to capture information on overall mental health, mental illness experience, resilience, experiences of racism, self-care and use and access of mental health services of racialized youth immigrants (16-25). A community advisory group recruitment of youth (ages 16-25) to complete the online survey through sharing recruitment posters to their associated communities, schools and organizations. Active recruitment was conducted in schools and libraries by community advisory members while passive recruitment was conducted by word of mouth. 98 immigrant youth were included in the survey.
Findings
59% of immigrant youth experienced reported experiencing racism. Of those youth who experienced racism 56% experienced it in school and 79% reported experiencing the same in public.
82% of youth with a reported mental illness were diagnosed after immigrating to Canada.
Many youth who did not have a diagnosed mental illness believed that they were experiencing one. This is not surprising due to the stigma attached to mental illness. Of those with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental illness 63% perceived symptoms of depression and 74% perceived symptoms of anxiety. Depression was found to be higher in males and anxiety was higher in females.
Survey responses indicated that there was a lack of education and awareness of existing resources, while many respondents mentioned that that they did not know a referral was required from a doctor to get diagnosed by a mental health practitioner.
The project found that many youths lack mental health knowledge; therefore, mental health education should be provided to youth immigrants to enhance the use of mental health services.
Project Outreach
The project was based in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Resources Created
2 Pending journal publications (One written on survey findings related to acculturation and one on racism)
1 national presentation at the 25th Metropolis Canada Conference held in Ottawa March 16-18th 2023.
1 article:
https://nursing.usask.ca/news/2022/20220506nurse-researcher-advocate.php?fbclid=IwAR2kyr2TP2gPwMFCDhLEt36nJYUphDWIAJhtmp6XWHJ6pD15TYFDkcJxUOE
The researcher’s contribution helped the project to create numerous other resources (COMING SOON: read about Dr. Maina and Dr. Maroof’s project).