Pathways to Care is now hosting and co-hosting, workshops, webinars and a wide variety of events. Looking forward to participating in some of our events? Check out some of our past events and upcoming events that are currently open for registration.

As we build up this new initiative, we'll be publishing research and holding events such as community consultations in our six target communities across Ontario. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about important developments in our field and to stay up-to-date about Pathways to Care.

The report details perspectives from participants about barriers to accessing mental healthcare for Black youth and multiple levels of the system and centres the perspectives of Black youth and the people who care for them.


Factors that Impact How Black Youth Access the Mental Healthcare System in Ontario

Stay informed about the newest research and events

Pathways to Care is a community-driven and youth-led systems change project committed to transforming the mental healthcare system for Black children, youth and their families.

Improving Mental Health & Addictions care for Black Children & Youth

Screenshot of interactive map showing Black-focused and mainstream healthcare locations

At some point in life, nearly half of all people will experience difficulty with their mental health. When challenges happen, access to mental health treatment is necessary to prevent the worsening of symptoms.&nbsp;

Even though we have some ideas of what challenges exist, there is very little research on the best ways to provide mental healthcare for Black youth&nbsp;

For a long time, community members, health providers, and mental health organizations have spoken about the need to understand and improve how Black children, youth, and their families receive mental healthcare and addiction support in Ontario. This is where the Pathways to Care project comes in.&nbsp;

As part of the next phase of its project activities, Pathways to Care is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to assist in the development of a comprehensive Black youth mental health and addictions strategy that will be implemented by organizational partners across 6 cities in Ontario. 

Project Forging Pathways to Care for Black Kids, Youth in 6 Ontario Cities

Pathways to Care article in Toronto.com

Infographic: Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Mental Healthcare for Black Children & Youth

Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best is calling for a national conversation on mental health led by black communities and people who work with them. (CBC News)

Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best featured in CBC article calling for culturally-competent care

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Collect information from a variety of sources including journal articles, focus groups, and community consultations&nbsp;

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Use the information gathered to create action and share the findings through community events, workshops, and documents that outline best practices

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Build networks &amp; communities of service providers and organizations that will ensure proper mental health and addictions care for Black children and youth

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Over the past 5 years, Pathways to Care implemented a full research and community engagement program.&nbsp;

Young people aged 15-24 experience mental illness and difficulty with substance use more than any other age group. Black youth are even more likely to have mental health challenges due to racism, poverty, and exposure to violence.&nbsp;Despite this, very little is known about how to improve mental health and addictions for Black children and youth. &nbsp;
At Pathways to Care our vision is to build a better mental health and addictions sector that provides timely and culturally safe services to Black youth, children and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;Through community consultations and partnerships with mental health organizations, Pathways to Care will eliminate gaps in care and ensure that community-responsive, accessible services exist for Black youth living in Ontario.&nbsp;
Are you a concerned community-member or an interested organization? Join our mailing list to stay updated on project developments!

Black youth in Canada are four times more likely to first enter the mental healthcare system through the emergency department, than white youth

16 months – the amount of time, on average, that Black youth wait for mental health treatment, double the amount of time than white youth, who wait eight. 

50% - The number of Black youth that have encounters with the police on their way into the mental healthcare system

When receiving treatment in residential care, less Black youth are placed in services that focus on treating mental illness, and more are placed in facilities related to the justice system

A lack of services that families and caregivers of Black children can afford and get to

The failure of services to recognize that anti-Black racism harms mental health, and providing care that ignores the impact of racism

Black youth in Canada are four times more likely to first enter the mental healthcare system through the emergency department, which suggests worse symptoms, than white youth.

The amount of time, on average, that Black youth wait for mental health treatment, double the amount of time than white youth, who wait eight.

The percentage of Black youth that have encounters with the police on their way into the mental healthcare system.

Despite these barriers to access, very little is known about the best ways to implement mental healthcare for Black children and youth in Ontario. Pathways to Care will increase understanding about the unique barriers to care for Black Canadians by engaging Black children, youth, and their families who face significant barriers to mental health and addictions services in the creation of a better mental healthcare system.

Black Ontarians face significantly poorer mental health and addictions outcomes

Content developed from Mental Health Literacy for Black Communities Webinar

Mental Health Literacy for Black Communities Infographic

This report is based on data from our social network analysis survey that was completed by mental health service providers from Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Windsor.

Our Theory of Change is a tool that can be used to visualize how Pathways to Care plans to enact change at different levels of society.

Content developed from Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Mental Healthcare in Canada for Black Youth: A Scoping Review in Adolescent Research Review

Governments, service providers, and Black communities need to work together to make it easier for Black Ontarians to access mental health and addiction services.&nbsp;
Many changes are needed to build a system that meets the needs of Black Ontarians. Mental Health services need to be culturally safe, rooted in cultural knowledge, and determined by Black children, youth, and their families.&nbsp;
Services that are designed specifically for diverse populations and consider their social circumstances lead to better mental health for clients and save money.&nbsp;
At Pathways to Care, our goal is to transform the system to make those changes a reality.&nbsp;
Are you a concerned community-member or an interested organization? Join our mailing list to stay updated on project developments!

Young black woman

Centre anti-Black racism in our thinking about mental health & addictions

Engage the community & service users in the process

Improve the skills & tools of organizations and people 

Share data, research, & evaluations to promote action 

Build networks & communities of service providers and organizations 

Implement culturally-safe programs that focus on evidence 

Develop an improvement strategy specifically for Black clients 

Share the results of programs, encourage partners to use what works & hold each other accountable

Share data, research, & evaluations to promote action

Young people aged 15-24 experience mental illness and difficulty with substance use more than any other age group. Developing interventions for children and youth is key because this a crucial time in their development. Children, teens, and young adults experiencing challenges with their mental health need specific, easy to access programs that keep their development and unique social experiences in mind.&nbsp;
At Pathways to Care, we are aim to create a society where Black children and youth can access the care they need. Join us in creating this change and partner with us.&nbsp;

Transforming the mental healthcare system for Black children and youth: What Can We Do?

Improving mental health and addictions care for Black children and youth

Improving Mental Health & Addictions care for Black Children & Youth

Tools

Looking for Mental Health Services?

Explore Healthcare Locations in Ontario

Our Work

Research and Publications

Research

Dissemination

Community Building

Factors that Impact How Black Youth Access the Mental Healthcare System in Ontario

Stay in Touch

Events

Latest News

Request for Proposals - Black Youth Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

Pathways to Care Featured in Toronto.com

Scoping Review Infographic

Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best featured in CBC article calling for culturally-competent care

@Pathways_ON on Instagram

Improving Mental Health & Addictions care for Black Children & Youth

Tools

Looking for Mental Health Services?

Explore Healthcare Locations in Ontario

Our Work

Research and Publications

Research

Dissemination

Community Building

Factors that Impact How Black Youth Access the Mental Healthcare System in Ontario

Stay in Touch

Follow us on social media

Click below to read our previous newsletters

Subscribe

Events

Latest News

Request for Proposals - Black Youth Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

@Pathways_ON on Instagram