How Does Immigration, in Relation to Gender Differences in Canada, Influence the Accessibility of Mental Health Services for Youth?

Abstract

This paper discusses immigration, gender differences, and the accessibility of mental health services for youth in Canada. For immigrant youth, compounded barriers based on cultural differences, language challenges, and systemic discrimination act as severe obstacles to their access to mental health care, with females being more affected than males. This approach is so direly needed because mental health services often do not serve their vulnerable population base and are based on being both culturally responsive and gender-sensitive. Socioeconomic factors further complicate the challenge to accessibility to mental health services among immigrant youth; many of these come from low-income families, complicating problems of affordability and access to care. The "healthy immigrant effect" is an issue where health deteriorates after the arrival of immigrants in Canada, prevalent among refugees and family-class immigrants. This deterioration in health is usually connected to several kinds of stress associated with immigration: economic instability, social isolation, and the pressure to fit into a new culture. These stressors are more intense for women and girls due to the gender-specific and cultural barriers that inhibit them from accessing mental health services. This paper is based on a literature review examining the impact of immigration and gender differences on access to mental health services for Canadian youth. The literature review for this article has been undertaken through a systematic academic database. The selection of articles pertaining to barriers to mental health services, gendered differences, and immigrant populations delineated three key themes. According to the findings, a compelling case exists to develop and implement culturally safe, accessible, and inclusive mental health services. Such services should address the unique barriers of cultural differences, language proficiency, and systemic discrimination. It is also quite paramount to provide gender-sensitive services, especially regarding the provision of mental health services for non-binary and LGBTQ+ youth. These disparities need to be rectified so that all Canadian youth, regardless of their immigrant background or gender identity, get equal access to mental health care. By doing so, Canada can come closer to that healthcare system, which serves the betterment of all its youth.