Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Black youth.

Abstract

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on members of Canada's Black community. Morbidity and mortality rates were higher among Blacks, and the mental health of Black youth was particularly affected by health policy measures undertaken during the pandemic, such as social distancing and isolation. Despite this understanding, a lack of awareness remains regarding how containment measures from COVID-19, such as school closures, physical distancing, and lockdowns, impacted the mental health of Black youth in Canada.

Methods: We employed a qualitative description approach informed by Youth Participatory Action Research and guided by intersectionality theory as our methodological framework. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary data generation method, enabling Black youths from across Canada to share their experiences of how the COVID-19 pandemic uniquely impacted their mental health. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data and identify key patterns and themes.

Results: We recruited 48 Black youth, aged 16 to 30 years. Analysis revealed heightened stress, depression, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. These mental health challenges were linked to prolonged isolation, academic disruptions, financial insecurity, precarious employment, and fears of police brutality, all of which were exacerbated by the pandemic's disproportionate impact on Black communities.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of Black youth in Canada. The results of this study highlight the urgent need for increased attention and investment in mental health initiatives specifically targeting Black youth across the country.