Perceptions of mental health and utilization of mental health services among new immigrants in Canada: A qualitative study

Pandey, Mamata; Kamrul, Rejina; Michaels, Clara Rocha; McCarron, Michelle

doi:10.1007/s10597-021-00836-3

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…As observed in other studies (25,(51)(52)(53) mental wellness emphasized through self-help strategies, gratitude, self-love, and self-care during the pandemic was well received. Facilitators and RIWC staff shared their perspectives, encouraging participants to focus on positive self-characteristic by maintaining a gratitude journal as proposed by Fishman (51).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…Facilitators and RIWC staff shared their perspectives, encouraging participants to focus on positive self-characteristic by maintaining a gratitude journal as proposed by Fishman (51). Consistent with the literature, participants mentioned engaging in positive activities, religious activities, prayers, and re ection on the profound meaning and lessons during the pandemic to cope with stress (4,25,50,54). This offered hope, and enhanced mental strength and resilience during the pandemic (4).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Finally, the discussion session offered opportunities to develop social connections with others in similar situations and the ability to collectively examine the challenges and nd solutions. Participants mentioned nding kinship, and support during trying times (25).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Promoting Resilience and mental well-being among Immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study

Pandey,

Maina,

Fang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on the lives and mental health of individuals across the globe. Due to language barriers and social, economic, and cultural factors, these challenges were amplified for immigrants to Canada putting them in an increasingly vulnerable position. The objective of the study was to document the challenges experienced, the impacts on mental health and other aspects of life, and support immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: Taking a community participatory approach in collaboration with the Regina Immigrant Women Center 14 language-assisted discussion sessions were hosted virtually between July 2020 and April 2021. The sessions covered credible and current public health measures and participants collectively discussed strategies to address upcoming challenges posed by the pandemic. Discussion on daily life challenges imposed by the pandemic and solutions implemented served as data. Results: Thematic analysis of participants' perspectives highlighted the impact of social isolation on all age groups. Overall participants mentioned considerable mental stress amplified by uncertainty, fear of infections, and social isolation. Negative impacts of social media and technology use on mental well-being were highlighted. Participants suggested various coping strategies, including religious and spiritual practices, connecting virtually, expressing gratitude, positive self-talk, self-love, and self-care for mental well-being. Participants also shared lessons learned and insights discovered during the pandemic. Conclusion:The interactive virtual discussion sessions helped maintain social connectedness, providing support and a sense of community for immigrants enhancing resilience and positively impacting mental wellness. Language-assisted virtual discussion sessions can support immigrants during a health emergency.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Promoting Resilience and mental well-being among Immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study

Pandey,

Maina,

Fang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…A Canadian study revealed that new immigrants have limited knowledge about the role of primary care providers and are unaware they can assist them in their MH care [45]. Immigrant youth and immigrant parents may rely on emergency departments as a rst point of contact rather than a primary care physician who could assess for mental illnesses, refer them to community-based services, or manage common mental illnesses, like depression, anxiety, and attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between neighbourhood income and youth mental health service use differs by immigration: Analysis of population-based data in British Columbia, Canada

Kaoser,

Thakore,

Peterson

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Purpose We investigated the relationship between neighbourhood income quintile and mental health service use by immigration among youth and explored changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method We used administrative data to examine mental health service use in British Columbia, Canada, among youth aged 10 to 24 between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2022. We compared rates of community-based service use, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations and the proportion of involuntary admissions by neighbourhood income quintile and immigration. We used models stratified by immigration to estimate the relationship with income. Results Non-immigrant youth used substantially more services than immigrant youth. Service use increased following the pandemic's start and peaked between January and March 2021. We observed a clear income gradient for community-based service use among both immigrant and non-immigrant youth, but the direction of the gradient was reversed. Service use was highest among non-immigrant youth in lower-income neighbourhoods and lowest for immigrant youth in lower-income neighbourhoods. We observed similar patterns of income gradient for non-immigrant youth for emergency department visits and hospitalization. The proportion of involuntary admissions was higher for immigrant youth. Conclusions Mental health service use was substantially lower among immigrant youth than non-immigrant youth, but higher proportions of immigrant youth were hospitalized involuntarily. The reverse income gradient patterns observed for community-mental health service use are noteworthy and suggest significant barriers to accessing preventable care among immigrant youth, particularly those living in lower-income neighbourhoods.

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“…This finding shows that racialized older immigrants were underserved by family doctors, psychologists, and social workers but not psychiatrists. Because visits to primary care practitioners are often patient-initiated, the underuse of family doctors may likely be due to immigrants’ unfamiliarity with a primary care-centric system in Canada ( Tieu & Konnert, 2014 ) where family physicians act as first-contact gatekeepers to specialists ( Kirmayer et al, 2011 ; Pandey et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2008 ). In addition, this finding echoes previous qualitative studies, which revealed that immigrants rarely consult family doctors for mental health concerns, perhaps because they perceived doctors’ role as primarily dealing with physical problems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequities in Mental Health Care Facing Racialized Immigrant Older Adults With Mental Disorders Despite Universal Coverage: A Population-Based Study in Canada

Lin

2023

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B

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Objectives Contemporary immigration scholarship has typically treated immigrants with diverse racial backgrounds as a monolithic population. Knowledge gaps remain in understanding how racial and nativity inequities in mental health care intersect and unfold in midlife and old age. This study aims to examine the joint impact of race, migration, and old age in shaping mental health treatment. Methods Pooled data were obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2015-2018) and restricted to respondents (aged ≥ 45 years) with mood or anxiety disorders (n=9,099). We employed multivariable logistic regression to estimate associations between race-migration nexus and past-year mental health consultations (MHC). We used Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to identify intersecting determinants of MHC. Results Compared to Canadian-born Whites, racialized immigrants had greater mental health needs: poor/fair SRMH (OR=2.23, 99% CI: 1.67 – 2.99), perceived life stressful (OR=1.49, 99% CI: 1.14 – 1.95), psychiatric comorbidity (OR=1.42, 99%CI: 1.06 – 1.89) and unmet needs for care (OR=2.02, 99% CI: 1.36 – 3.02); in sharp contrast, they were less likely to access mental health services across most indicators: overall past-year MHC (OR=0.54, 99% CI: 0.41 – 0.71) and consultations with family doctors (OR=0.67, 99% CI: 0.50 – 0.89), psychologists (OR=0.67, 99% CI: 0.50 – 0.89), and social workers (OR=0.67, 99% CI: 0.50 – 0.89), with the exception of psychiatrist visits (p=0.324). The CART algorithm identifies three groups at risk of MHC service underuse: racialized immigrants aged ≥ 55 years; immigrants without high school diplomas; and linguistic minorities who were home renters. Discussion To safeguard health care equity for medically underserved communities in Canada, multisectoral efforts need to guarantee culturally responsive mental health care, multilingual services, and affordable housing for racialized immigrant older adults with mental disorders.

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Perceptions of mental health and utilization of mental health services among new immigrants in Canada: A qualitative study

Cited by 8 publications

References 26 publications

Promoting Resilience and mental well-being among Immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study

Promoting Resilience and mental well-being among Immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study

The relationship between neighbourhood income and youth mental health service use differs by immigration: Analysis of population-based data in British Columbia, Canada

Inequities in Mental Health Care Facing Racialized Immigrant Older Adults With Mental Disorders Despite Universal Coverage: A Population-Based Study in Canada

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