'Stuck in a cycle': Providers say disjointed mental health care failing to meet needs of Black youth

As a young Black person, the more mental health help you need, the harder a time you seem to have getting it.

At least, that's what Mary, a mental health clinician, told researchers with the Black Health Alliance (BHA), whose study of the state of mental health services for Black youth in Toronto was published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed Journal of Recovery in Mental Health.

"There's so many issues, no one wants to take ownership of that person and say, 'yeah, I will treat them,'" said Mary, whose comments were published in the study. 

"It's like, 'no you're too complex for me.'"

The pandemic exposed and worsened long-standing health inequities that research has shown to disproportionately impact communities of colour, specifically Black ones. Newer, local research has also shown many ways in which everyday experiences with racism can hurt a person's chances at stable employment, a better income, and improved mental health.

Despite increased public awareness, mental health-care practitioners, as well as the study's authors, told CBC Toronto that anti-Black racism remains a barrier, and organizations are not doing enough to address it.

BHA researchers concluded that systemic racism is preventing young Black people from receiving proper mental health care, and that mental health organizations are not facilitating enough connections with Black-led care groups — making it more difficult for the youth in those groups to access timely and relevant care.

The study was conducted by the University of Toronto and Pathways to Care — a five-year collaborative project built by the BHA along with the TAIBU Community Health Centre, Wellesley Institute, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), and Strides Toronto.

From May through December 2020, researchers held seven focus groups involving 37 people. 

The groups of Black youth, caregivers, community members, and clinicians began meeting shortly after the city of Toronto declared March 2, 2020 to be Black Mental Health Day. And shortly before the city declared anti-Black racism to be a public health crisis.

"I wonder if this whole awakening when it comes to anti-Black racism is going to, I guess, happen?" said one youth named Jalisa. 

"Because even just going through the different systems and programs available in regard to mental health in Toronto, my race is always seen as an afterthought," she said. 

"Even though being Black is not all who I am, it is a significant part of me."

The study included a social network analysis to understand which agencies the participants worked for, which connections exist between organizations, and how all of that impacts care for Black youth.