Caring in the context of systems: Service providers perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men
Abstract
In this study, we applied an intersectional framework to explore service providers’ perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 26 service providers in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. Findings show that service providers made sense of young men’s mental health needs and service access in the context of systems. We identified three interconnected themes: newcomer young men’s senses of self in relation to macrosystems, including racism and economic marginalization; settling well as a determinant of mental health; and systems capacities and interdependent resilience. While service providers are engaged in cross-sectoral work in support of newcomer young men’s mental health, this work is not being sufficiently supported. Further work is needed around cross-sector capacity bridging and advocacy, as well as the tailoring of services to young men without the assumption and reinforcement of gender stereotypes.
Notes
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified: Perspectives of service providers were explored, and not those of the young men they were serving.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
1) Our first theme, a sense of self in relation to systems, included connections between mental wellbeing and the systems of migration, racism, and economic marginalization.
2) The second theme that arose, settling well as a determinant of mental health, included service provision in connection to coordination across systems and advocacy.
3) The third theme, system capacities and resilience, included issues related to lack of funding and wait times for service access, limitations of mainstream mental health care providers, mental health stigma, and opportunities to promote resilience among clients.
Open access: Yes
Key populations: mental health service providers working with newcomer young men
Key recommendations:
1) Examine how service providers can further bridge capacity with partner organizations and sectors to collectively deliver more responsive programming.
2) Understand how capacity bridging can help mainstream mental health service providers tailor care for newcomer young men and at the same time account for nuance and differences within groups to ensure they do not assume or reinforce biases or stereotypes related to gender.
Location: Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver