Investigating racism in youth mental health care: A mixed-methods youth-engaged study

Youth mental health is a national priority in Canada, with estimates of up to one in four young people affected by a mental health condition. While progress is being made to improve youth mental health services, there continue to be significant knowledge gaps in what diverse youth identify as facilitators and barriers to safe, inclusive mental health services and systems. To date, there is limited research on the associations between mental health and perceived racial discrimination among youth, or the extent to which existing youth mental health care contexts are accessible, safe, and inclusive. The proposed research will contribute new information about the associations between mental health and racial discrimination among youth in Canada; youth perspectives on their experiences related to racism and mental health services; and the factors that facilitate or create barriers to inclusive youth mental health services. This project will gather evidence through a combination of surveys, interviews, and concept mapping workshops. The information from the study will be used to inform action plans that address systemic barriers in youth mental health care and improve mental health outcomes for all youth in Canada.