Laura Simich1, Sarah Maiter, Elin Moorlag, Joanna Ochocka. 1. Social Equity and Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. laura.simich@camh.net
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Ethnolinguistic communities are underserved by mental health systems in immigrant-receiving, multicultural societies, but their perspectives are seldom elicited in mental health research or reform planning. This article helps fill this gap by presenting community perspectives on concepts of mental health, mental illness and mental health experiences with five ethnocultural communities (Latin American, Mandarin-speaking Chinese, Polish, Punjabi Sikh and Somali) in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Data were collected from 21 focus groups as part of a large-scale, participatory action research project called Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health. RESULTS: The analysis focuses on how mental health and mental illnesses are described, how mental health care is experienced and what recommendations community members provide to improve the mental health system. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings illustrate the importance of the social context of immigration and settlement in conceptualizing mental health and mental distress. We conclude that systemic changes are needed to formulate collaborative, community-based strategies for mental health promotion and interventions.
OBJECTIVE: Ethnolinguistic communities are underserved by mental health systems in immigrant-receiving, multicultural societies, but their perspectives are seldom elicited in mental health research or reform planning. This article helps fill this gap by presenting community perspectives on concepts of mental health, mental illness and mental health experiences with five ethnocultural communities (Latin American, Mandarin-speaking Chinese, Polish, Punjabi Sikh and Somali) in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Data were collected from 21 focus groups as part of a large-scale, participatory action research project called Taking Culture Seriously in Community Mental Health. RESULTS: The analysis focuses on how mental health and mental illnesses are described, how mental health care is experienced and what recommendations community members provide to improve the mental health system. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings illustrate the importance of the social context of immigration and settlement in conceptualizing mental health and mental distress. We conclude that systemic changes are needed to formulate collaborative, community-based strategies for mental health promotion and interventions.
Authors: Andrés A Agudelo-Suárez; Diana Gil-González; Carmen Vives-Cases; John G Love; Peter Wimpenny; Elena Ronda-Pérez Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-12-17 Impact factor: 2.655