Sankofa Wellness

During my graduate training at the University of Windsor, I completed a research study that looks at why Black Canadians might or might not seek help for their mental health. I wanted to know if people's beliefs and feelings about mental health influenced whether they'd seek help or not.

I survey 294 Black men and women from across Canada to find out their thoughts. I found that many people didn't want to ask for help because they were worried about what others might think. I also found that some people didn't know much about mental health or where to go for help.

I used something called "the theory of planned behaviour" to understand why people might not seek help. I found that a big reason was something called "stigma." Stigma is when people look down on others for something they can't help, like having mental health problems. The study showed that stigma made it harder for Black Canadians to ask for help.

I also found that trust was important. People were more likely to seek help if they trusted the person or place they were going to. This means that having good relationships with doctors or counselors is important for Black Canadians.

Overall, the study showed that Black Canadians might not seek help for their mental health because of stigma and a lack of trust. To help them, it's important to talk openly about mental health and to build trust with doctors and counselors. This way, Black Canadians can get the help they need without feeling ashamed or afraid.

 

Citation:
Taylor, R. E., & Kuo, B. C. (2020). A theory-driven exploration of Black Canadians’ psychological help-seeking intentions. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(3), 464-485.