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Serving underserved populations through improved delivery of mental health and substance use services

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) —funding of 25 projects across the country. with the goal of improving access to mental health and substance use care to children, youth and young adults in Canada. Click for details.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Funding Announcement

Team Member, Prof. Remigius U. Agu, of the College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, speaks on the importance of the Federal Government's acknowledgment of the mental health and substance use needs of youth of African Descent as crucial in providing culturally responsive care. Click for details.

CBC Information Morning: New Research Project for Improving Mental Health for Young African Nova Scotians

Project Lead, Dr. Ifeyinwa Mbakogu of the School of Social Work, Dalhousie University and Sylvia Parris-Drummond of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, Halifax, Canada discussed their research project at the CBC Information Morning Radio Show on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Click for details.

Youth of African Descent in Mental Health and Substance Use Research

Our project intends to assess both the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) care delivered by health providers and the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) care received by youth, families, and caregivers of African Descent resident in Nova Scotia to inform the development of comprehensive pan-Canada MHSU standards that is inclusive of marginalised groups.

What is required

The stages below gives insights on how the study will be conducted.

Stage 1 - Personal Interview

- To share your experiences accessing MHSU support services in Nova Scotia. - The interview which will be audio-recorded with your consent, will last between 30-60 minutes. These interviews will take place either in person at a location or time convenient to you or online using the Zoom platform. At the end of the interview, the researcher will ask if you will like to participate in a focus group discussion with other participants.

Stage 2 - Option to take part in a focus group discussion.

- Participants will decide the time and date of the focus group discussions. Each focus group will have at most eight (8) members. - The focus group discussion will last between 30-60 minutes and will be audio-recorded.

Stage 3- Option to take part in art-based research methods

- Participants will decide the time and date of the art-based research methods. - The art-based research methods which explore diverse forms (drawings, poetry, drama, dance, storytelling, documentary) individual or collective, will last between 30-60 minutes and will be recorded in audio and visual formats.

Research Objectives

- Explore the perceptions of barriers to care experienced by youth, families and caregivers of African Descent preventing access to MHSU services - Identify the sources of strengths and challenges for youths, families, and caregivers of African Descent in attending to their MHSU need. - Understand the nature and sources of structural or systemic stress experienced by youth, families and caregivers of African Descent accessing MHSU care.

Incentive for participants

Receive up to

Upon completion of all three stages

$150

Contact

For more information on participating in the study - kindly send an email to Dr. Ifeyinwa Mbakogu, Dalhousie University at: ifeyinwa.mbakogu@dal.ca or voices@dal.ca

Made in Vzy

Mental Health and Substance Use Research