Aging and mental health: A primer on health equity, diversity and anti-racism
Understanding mental health and well-being in later life invites you to complete a valuable training module for service providers working with older adults. This free, self-directed online course is designed to increase your awareness of the social and structural factors influencing the mental health of older adults from immigrant, refugee, ethnocultural and racialized (IRER) groups.
In this course, we discuss health inequities experienced by older adults and social determinants of mental health, the role of culture in mental health, the impact of racism at different levels, the diversity and resilience of populations, as well as the concepts of anti-racism, anti-oppression, inclusion and cultural humility—strategies for working with diverse populations. These topics are complex and of major consequence. This course provides an introduction to raise awareness rather than a comprehensive review of these topics. We invite you to use this introductory course as the beginning of a “call to action”—a commitment to and journey of your own reflection and unlearning. This is difficult work, but long overdue and necessary.
After completing this course, learners will be able to: Describe mental health inequities for older adults from immigrant, refugee, ethnocultural and racialized (IRER) groups. Explain social factors influencing the mental health of older adults from IRER groups.
Identify how culture can influence mental health. Summarize key concepts guiding the work with older adults from culturally diverse backgrounds. Differentiate among racism, systemic racism and anti-Black racism. Discuss the impacts of racism on mental health. Examine their own biases and their effects on others. For any questions, please contact olderadults@camh.ca.