The Cost of Silence: Why Black Youth Mental Health Can’t Wait

When we talk about mental health in Canada, the general numbers often hide a much deeper crisis. National data shows that roughly 26% of all Canadian youth rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor”. However, for Black youth, this reality is significantly more severe. According to a recent survey conducted by Future Black Female, an Ontario-based nonprofit championing better mental health care for young Black women and girls, a staggering 58.5% of Black youth have struggled with mental health issues lasting longer than three months—a rate more than double the national average. For young Black women and non-binary individuals, that number climbs even higher to 61.6%. This isn’t just about a few “bad days”; it’s about a long-term burden that frequently goes unseen and unsupported.

“As a demographic, the girls and women we serve are less likely to afford mental health care. When hospitalized, due to anti-Black racism in the wider healthcare system, they are often disbelieved, dismissed and sometimes even punished for not fulfilling the stereotypical expectations of providers,” Future Black Female executive director Dr. Tapo Chimbganda says. This reality underscores the need for an intersectional approach, which recognizes that different forms of discrimination do not exist in isolation. Instead, they overlap and compound, creating a unique, layered impact on a Black woman or girls’ entire experience.

The Health Equity Gap

At the heart of this disparity is a lack of health equity. True equity isn’t just about giving everyone the same resources; it’s about recognizing that Black youth face unique systemic barriers—like anti-Black racism and socio-economic exclusion—that require tailored solutions. Recent reports highlight a “distress gap” where Black youth become significantly less likely to access care as their mental health struggles worsen.

The barriers are often structural. Research reveals that racial discrimination can make individuals 18 times more susceptible to depression. Furthermore, the wait for help is unequal: while white youth wait an average of 7 months for care, Black youth often face a wait of 16 months. When the system isn’t built to see or validate your lived experience, the “help” available often feels like another barrier.

Relationships and Digital Realities

Environment plays a massive role in these outcomes. 38.1% of Black youth identify social relationships as the top factor impacting their wellbeing. The protective impact of support is clear: among Black women, the prevalence of mental health issues is 43.8% when families encourage open conversation, but jumps to 71.4% when those struggles are dismissed.

Because traditional systems feel culturally insensitive, many turn to digital spaces. Over 70% of Black youth get information from social media like TikTok and Instagram. Nearly half (49.6%) are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for support—a trend most common among those feeling lonely or facing discrimination. However, these tools are built within biased systems and aren’t a substitute for culturally safe care. Currently, professional apps are missing the mark, with nearly 40% of Black youth users finding them “not helpful at all.”

“Canada’s Black population is growing, and with it the demand for systems that understand them. Our mental health sector needs to align with the needs of all people, including Black youth in Canada. If we do not offer culturally relevant services that make the necessary adjustments and accommodations for these young people, we will continue to see an entire generation suffer. Their suffering has far-reaching consequences.” ~Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, Founder of Future Black Female. 

Change is achievable through the championing of culturally grounded care and investment in community-led programs like Future Black Female, a provider of essential, pro-Black support. Our collective  commitment to better outcomes for Black youth ensures they no longer have to navigate their mental health journeys in isolation. We can build a future of wellness together. 

By Amie Archibald Varley, RN, MSN & Host of The Gritty Nurse Podcast & Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, Founder of Future Black Female