By promoting the mental health of immigrants and refugees, Service providers can help prevent mental health illness and promote mental well-being. Service providers should do this for all clients, regardless of whether or not they have mental health problems or illnesses.

This module explored strategies for promoting mental health, including the use of advocacy and policy and creating supportive environments that tackle stigma. The module outlined the roles of formal and informal social supports in maintaining good mental health. It also examined the relevance of community partnerships to mental health, and how promotion and prevention efforts should consider individuals within the context of their community and social environment.

Module 10 explores the issue of accessing professional and personal support and reflects on the dynamics of the client relationship from the perspective of the health care provider, including self-awareness and self-care.

References

9.1 —

• Im, H., & Rodriguez, C. j. (2019). A Multitier Model of Refugee Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Resettlement: Toward Trauma-Informed and Culture-Informed Systems of Care. Psychological Services.

• UNHCR. (n.d). Promoting welcoming and inclusive societies. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org/handbooks/ih/welcoming-inclusive-societies/promoting-welcoming-and-inclusive-societies

9.2 —

• Agyekum et al. (2018). Religion/spirituality, therapeutic landscape and immigrant mental well-being amongst African immigrants to Canada. Mental Health, Religion & Culture.

• American Psychiatric Association Foundation. (2018). Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Foundation.

• Angus Reid Institute. (2018). Faith and Immigration: New Canadians rely on religious communities for material, spiritual support. Retrieved from http://angusreid.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018.06.22_CardusWave1_2018.pdf

• Bharmal, et al. (2015). Understanding the upstream social determinants of health. RAND, 1-18.

• Blair. (2021). Community partnerships key to improving access to mental health care. Retrieved from https://www.aha.org/news/blog/2021-02-05-community-partnerships-key-improving-access-mental-health-care

• Castillo et al. (2019). Community Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Social Equity. Current Psychiatry Report, 21 (5) - 35.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 18). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Wallcraft et al. (2011). Partnerships for better mental health worldwide: WPA recommendations on best practices in working with service users and family carers. World psychiatry, 10(3), 229.

9.3

• CMHA BC and Anxiety Canada. (2016). Wellness Module 3: Social Support. Retrieved from HeretoHelp: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/sites/default/files/social-support.pdf

• Harandi et al. (2017). The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis. Electron Physician.

• Hynie. (2017). The Social Determinants of Refugee Mental Health in the Post-Migration Context: A Critical Review. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry .

• Salami. (2017). Mental Health of Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in Canada: Evidence from the Canadian Health Measures Survey and Service Provider Interviews in Alberta. Mental Health of Immigrants.

• Villalonga-Olives, E., & Kawachi, I. (2015). The measurement of social capital. Gaceta sanitaria, 29(1), 62-64.