Black Muslim Immigrant Seniors Accessing Mental Health Services in the Greater Toronto Area

Abstract

<p>This narrative approach to qualitative research explores the experiences of Black Muslim immigrant seniors in relation to accessing mental health services in the Greater Toronto Area. This study involved interviewing three Black African Muslim immigrant seniors living in Toronto. The participants shared their insight on the lack of culturally and linguistically diverse services as well as the systemic barriers they face as racialized seniors living in a Western society. Through the exploration of storytelling, participants identified pre and post migration traumas, shared coping strategies, expressed their fears and extreme distrust of white medical professionals and offered recommendations to better serve this ever-growing population. Critical gerontology and anti-black racism theories were used to help frame and guide discussions as well as further comprehend the participants’ lived experiences. This study also implements photovoice activities to gain a deeper insight into the participants’ experiences of navigating mental health resources.</p>