Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Racialized Immigrants, Refugees, and Non-Status People Living with HIV/AIDS.
The demographic characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) in Canada are increasingly diverse. Despite literature suggesting a potentially heightened mental health burden borne by racialized immigrant, refugee, and non-status PHAs (IRN-PHAs), researchers have hitherto paid insufficient attention to whether existing services adequately address this need and how services might be improved. Employing community-based research methodology involving PHAs from five ethnoracial groups in Toronto, Ontario, this study explored IRN-PHAs' mental health service-seeking behaviors, service utilization experiences, and suggestions for service improvements. Results showed that while most IRN-PHAs were proactive in improving their mental health, their attempts to obtain support were commonly undermined by service provider mistreatment, unavailability of appropriate services, and multiple access barriers. A three-pronged approach involving IRN-PHA empowerment, anti-stigma and cultural competence promotion, and greater service integration is proposed for improving IRN-PHAs' mental health service experience.
Y Y Brandon
YY
Chen
Alan Tai
AT
Li
Kenneth Po
KP
Fung
Josephine Pui
JP
Wong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult