Mental illness and mental health problems

Mental health problems often emerge in childhood and adolescence and track into adulthood (Kessler et al., 2005; Merikangas & Avenevoli, 2002). Immigrant and refugee children, like their adult counterparts, are less likely than non-immigrant groups to access mental health services (Mental Health Commission of Canada [MHCC], 2016). We know this because immigrant youth are more likely than non-immigrant youth to present with their first mental health crisis at an emergency department, indicating underuse of appropriate mental health services (Saunders, et al., 2018).

Immigrant families often face barriers to accessing good-quality mental health support for their children suffering from mental health problems and illnesses or neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. These barriers include difficulties navigating the new health, education and social systems without guidance, fragmented and dispersed services, and long wait times (Khanlou et al, 2017). As a result, this can delay diagnosis and timely delivery of critical interventions.

In addition, there is great variation in child and youth health and mental health experiences in Canada. The unique migration history and trajectory of individual newcomer children have to be understood and taken into account (Saunders, et al., 2018).