Examining The Mental Health Experiences of Newcomers

This 17-page report provides an analysis of mental health indicators for newcomers to Canada, focusing on factors such as demographics, mental health status, accessibility of services, and finances. Some of the issues addressed in the report include:

Settlement Issues: Many new Canadians, particularly those who have been in the country for five years or less, are highly concerned about paying rent or mortgage (39%) whereas for Canadian-born individuals, the concern is at 22%.

Mental Health Prevalence: Anxiety and depression are more prevalent among newcomers, with 27% of those residing in Canada for 6-15 years reporting moderate to severe anxiety, compared to 22% of Canadian-born individuals.

Service Accessibility: Newcomers face more barriers in accessing mental health services, with 11% needing but not accessing services, compared to 4% of non-newcomers. Cost is the most cited barrier.

Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened mental health issues for newcomers, particularly due to isolation and the inability to travel.

Support Networks: Newcomers have weaker support networks, with only 36% having strong social support compared to 52% of non-newcomers.

Level of Resilience level: Individuals born in Canada show slightly higher resilience levels than newcomers.

Stigma and Barriers: Stigma from home countries and cost are significant barriers preventing newcomers from seeking mental health support.

Conclusively, the report underscores the need for better support systems and accessible mental health services to aid the successful integration and well-being of newcomers in Canada.