Bridging Cultural Understanding in Mental Health Support for Newcomers

Sara Riel wants to improve organizational support to newcomers to Manitoba with their mental health needs.
“Past studies suggest that immigrants, generally, arrive in Canada with better self-perceived mental health than Canadians, but it declines after a period of time (Salami, 2017).” This has deteriorated further during the Pandemic. (Stats Can).
There are linguistic and cultural barriers to mental health expression. As a result, newcomers do not readily seek mental health supports, despite facing multiple challenges in their transition to a new country. Newcomers may have their own stigma of mental health issues, differing cultural perceptions of the definitions, causes, and handling of mental health, and a lack of awareness of supports offered in the community. Tasks will consist of research and education about newcomer populations, their needs and challenges, and reviewing current Sara Riel communication with recent immigrants with the goal of optimum quality of life. Research will address cultural safety practices. A knowledge exchange of resources/linkages of newcomer/immigrant service providers will be identified.
The student will complete the research with a combination of virtual and in-person meetings.

Faculty Supervisor:

Shauna MacKinnon

Student:

Partner:

Sara Riel Foundation Inc.

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Winnipeg

Program: