A Social Network Analysis of Interagency Collaboration in the Mental Health Sector in Toronto, Canada: Service Providers’ Perspectives on Supporting Black Youth in Recovery

Abstract

Objective: There is minimal research on mental health service providers’ perspectives on existing interagency relationships, collaboration, and caring for Black youth. We sought to characterize interagency relationships between Mainstream and Black-focused mental health agencies in Ontario, and their impact on service providers’ ability to provide culturally safe care for Black youth. Research Design and Methods: A mixed methodological approach was used to explore service providers’ perspectives on the collaborative nature and presence of relationships, communication, and influence in the mental health sector. An online survey was disseminated to service providers in Toronto, Ontario between March 2020 and April 2020. 7 focus groups were conducted in Toronto between May 2020 and December 2020. Focus groups were conducted with Black youth, families/caregivers, community, and service providers. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and visualized in the form of social network analysis using Gephi, while Nvivo 12 was utilized to identify and analyze themes from the qualitative data. Results: Findings included a lack of interagency collaboration, infrequent Mainstream-Black agency collaborations, Mainstream agencies’ disinterest in future partnerships with Black agencies, and feelings of unpreparedness amongst service providers to provide culturally safe care to Black youth or referrals. Conclusions: Collaboration between mainstream agencies is common in the sector. There is a paucity of Black-focused agencies and Black service providers in the existing social networks. A limited understanding of the systemic impacts anti-Black racism at the agency and service provider level might be impairing service providers’ ability to support the mental health recovery of Black youth.