Sixty percent of the population risk of illness is linked to the social determinants of health, and immigrant, refugee, ethno-cultural and racialized (IRER) groups are more exposed to these social factors. Twenty percent of British Columbians are racialized immigrants or refugees and suicide is ten times more likely amongst racialized immigrants and refugees. (Hansson,et al 2012). My program of research seeks to inform mental health policy and practice on moving toward equitable and culturally safe mental health services and supports for IRER groups.

My research is community engagement that involves partnerships with immigrant and refugee service organizations to conduct research that produces results that are meaningful to communities and which have an impact on the mental health and wellbeing of immigrant, refugee, ethno-cultural and racialized groups. Community partners include MOSAIC: Options Community Services Society; Diversecity; Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria; WorkBC. I also collaborate with CARES for equitable health, a Community Alliance of Racialized Ethnocultural Services (CARES) BC which works in collaboration with the BC Health Coalition to improve culturally safe and equitable access to primary health care for newcomer and racialized communities.

In this video, I speak about my research, and how I use peers and community members to promote cultural safety and to co develop research  for communities that have experienced forced migration.