The undeniable link between social justice and mental health

Jan 30, 2025

This Black History/Heritage Month we’re examining how the mental health experiences of Black people are unique. For Black people, the daily weight of racism¹, discrimination², and social injustice³ all factor into mental health—something many of us don’t even have to think about.

Dr. Regine King, a professor of social work at the University of Calgary, explains how social injustice and mental health are inextricably linked, with injustice creating “devastating mental health impacts.”³

Social injustices and oppression are forms of violence, and violence is a traumatizing factor. Social injustices, overt or covert, impose a heavy weight and require a lot of physical, emotional, and psychological energy simply to endure them. Social injustices suck the life blood from individuals and families. They impact their self-worth, agency, self-confidence, and evaluation of their abilities.³ 

— Dr. King

McMaster University Professor Ingrid Waldron, echoes this: “Racism is a significant structural determinant of health—one that has a very real, demonstrated impact on mental health and well-being, but historically hasn’t been taken seriously.”¹

Data from a survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention backed this up when it showed a more than 10 percent increase in clinical depression and anxiety among Black people following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.³

Discrimination also contributes to persistent inequalities in access to mental health care for Black people, making discrimination a health issue. The shortage of culturally relevant supports and/or Black psychologists⁴ also create barriers to care. In fact, a recent study⁵ found that over 53 percent of Black participants experienced significant racism when interacting with healthcare professionals—the very people who are supposed to help.

That helps explain why depression is more prevalent among Black people—one study found that, rates of depression among Black people in Canada were six times higher⁵ than the rest of Canada’s population—but it doesn’t make it okay.

Thankfully, organizations across Canada are leading the way to more equitable mental health care for Black people, including:

But it shouldn’t just be up to Black people to fight racism and social injustice. People with privilege, White or otherwise, can help advocate for change to make mental health care access available to everyone, no matter who they are, when and where they need it. That’s CMHA’s vision: universal mental health care. If you want to help, sign up for updates and opportunities to take action as we work to push for system and social change, or make a donation to help us continue this important work. Together we can make a difference.

Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling, please contact your local CMHA. 

To find a Black therapist or counsellor, check out the Black Therapy List or Healing in Colour.

9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French. For more information, visit 988.ca.  

¹ Laux, S. 2024. Ingrid Waldron explores how racism — past and present — affects Black mental health. McMaster University.

² Mental Health Commission of Canada. 2021. Shining a light on mental health in Black communities.

³ Lavoie, S. 2021. How social justice and mental health interconnect. University of Calgary.

⁴ Brandow, C. & Swarbrick, M. 2021. Improving Black Mental Health: A Collective Call to Action. Psychiatric Services.

⁵ Liggins-Chambers, L. 2024. Resistance in the Black Community to Mental Health Services. Psychology Today.

⁶ Cénat, J. et al. 2021. Prevalence and Effects of Daily and Major Experiences of Racial Discrimination and Microaggressions among Black Individuals in Canada. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.