Cross cultural mental health

Culture, Mental Health, and Substance Use

Our communities are culturally diverse. Mental health and substance use problems affect everyone, regardless of where they live or their cultural background, but current mental health and substance use services may not always respond to the diverse needs of our community members.

We All Need to Start Somewhere

Equity for immigrants

Vishad Deeplaul, MGC

Immigrants’ Mental Health

How the Changeways program can help

Irene Tang, RCC

Energy in Motion

Understanding and embodying our emotions as self-care through ancestral medicine

Navdeep Kaur Gill

Reprinted from the "Responding to Feelings" issue of Visions Journal, 2021, 16 (4), pp. 12-13

Navdeep Kaur Gill

“It’s No Surprise” and I’m Tired of Saying That

Health disparities and racial inequalities are no surprise to the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) community. But simply acknowledging those facts isn’t enough. We can’t have justice without wellness, and the pandemic demonstrates once again that people with power and privilege get to be well while those who are excluded do not.

Walking a Liberated Path Towards Anti-Racism

Trixie experienced a racist, misogynistic attack in May and learned that many other Asian Canadians have also experienced racist aggression as a result of the pandemic. Breaking the silence and challenging the “model minority” myth meant speaking out against injustice and white supremacy. Trixie explains how embracing her Taiwanese heritage and simply being is an act of resistance and healing.

Resources

From the "Youth Facing Health Inequities" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (3), p. 40

Representative for Children and Youth

rcybc.ca

You’re Stronger Than Your Problems

South Asian Youth Mental Health Team (SAYMH) youth ambassador Ajeet found that most people don’t know how to help when someone experiences a mental health problem. Through his youth ambassador training, he learned so much more about mental health, substance use, and many other problems that are shrouded in stigma.

Mental Illness in my Community

South Asian Youth Mental Health Team (SAYMH) youth ambassador Jasleen wants everyone to recognize mental health problems as real health problems, not imaginary conditions. She started small—educating herself and then encouraging her family to recognize mental health—and now uses her voice to educate and raise awareness in her community.

Bringing the Community Together

The South Asian Youth Mental Health Team (SAYMH) helps BC’s South Asian communities find culturally appropriate care, navigate health care systems, and counter the stigma of mental health problems. Youth are trained to be ambassadors, and they facilitate workshops with community organizations, service providers, advocates, and people with lived experience. Learn how SAYMH is changing conversations around mental health.

Stay Connected

Sign up for our various e-newsletters featuring mental health and substance use resources.

eVisions: BC's Mental Health and Substance Use Journal, a theme-based magazine
Healthy Minds/Healthy Campuses events and resources
Within Reach: Resources from HeretoHelp
Embody (formerly Jessie's Legacy) updates and news

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