Mental Illnesses and Homelessness: Experiences of Francophone, Anglophone, and Indigenous Persons in Northeastern Ontario

Abstract

Homeless Francophones in northeastern Ontario are proportionately overrepresented when compared to homeless Anglophones and Indigenous people among those who self-reported that they suffered from mental health problems during the previous year. This study compares levels of physical and mental illness amongst the three main ethno-cultural groups-Francophones, Anglophones, and Indigenous People-in the three principal urban areas of northeastern Ontario, Canada. This study utilises data collected using a service-based survey of poor and homeless people accessing front line services in the cities of North Bay, Timmins, and Sudbury. Participants provided information about their physical and mental health in the year prior to the survey and described their health-related issues. The sample is composed of 2,148 men and women either absolutely homeless or at risk of homelessness. Of the total, 352 are Francophone, 594 Indigenous, and 1,202 Anglophone. In 11 previous studies, Francophones were consistently underrepresented in comparison to their proportion in the general population. However, the current study shows that homeless Francophones had a greater incidence of mental and physical health problems than the other homeless groups studied. They were proportionately overrepresented when compared to homeless Anglophones and Indigenous people who said that they suffered from mental health problems during the previous year. Culturally and linguistically specific services are required to address mental health issues for Francophones and Indigenous people.