PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bukola Salami
AU  - Yawa Idi
AU  - Yar Anyieth
AU  - Lisa Cyuzuzo
AU  - Benjamin Denga
AU  - Dominic Alaazi
AU  - Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika
TI  - Factors that contribute to the mental health of Black youth
AID  - 10.1503/cmaj.212142
DP  - 2022 Oct 24
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - E1404--E1410
VI  - 194
IP  - 41
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/194/41/E1404.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/194/41/E1404.full
SO  - CMAJ2022 Oct 24; 194
AB  - Background: Black people are a growing population in Canada, but limited data are available on the factors that contribute to the mental health of Black youth in Canada. We sought to explore the factors that contribute to the mental health of Black youth in Alberta, Canada.Methods: Using a youth-led participatory action research approach and an intersectional feminist theoretical perspective, we collected data from a diverse sample of Black youth (aged 16–30 yr) in Alberta. We conducted individual interviews and conversation cafés with Black youth.Results: We completed 30 individual interviews and 4 conversation cafés with a total of 99 Black youth. Participants identified the dominant factors contributing to mental health problems as racial discrimination, the intergenerational gap in families, microaggression and stigma, academic expectations, financial stress, lack of identity, previous traumatic events and religion. They also identified factors that contributed positively to mental health, including a sense of accomplishment, openness about mental health, positive relationships, sense of community and spirituality.Interpretation: Black youth in Alberta reported that anti-Black racism and intergenerational tensions are major factors that contribute to their mental health, which suggests a need to address anti-Black racism and ensure more equitable approaches for Black youth in Alberta.