Sankofa Wellness

Why Many Black Canadians Are Not Reaching Out for Mental Health Support

As a psychologist and researcher, I’ve heard one phrase over and over in Black communities when it comes to mental health: “That’s just not something we do.” This inspired the title of my recent research paper exploring why many Black individuals in Canada aren’t seeking professional help for their mental health needs.

Through in-depth interviews with 30 Black Canadians across the country, my colleague and I discovered a core theme: many Black Canadians feel a disconnect between their cultural norms and the idea of seeking help. Help-seeking was often seen as a sign of weakness, a betrayal of the cultural value of being “strong,” or something “other people” do — not us.

This disconnect led to shame, fear of judgment, and deep skepticism about whether they’d be understood or treated fairly by mental health professionals — especially when those professionals don’t share their background.

Still, there was hope. Participants who had positive past experiences with therapy — particularly with culturally aware or Black practitioners — were more open to returning. Others found pride in breaking generational patterns and choosing healing.

If we want to truly serve Black communities, we must bridge this cultural gap. That means increasing representation in mental health professions, providing culturally safe care, and challenging the norms that keep people suffering in silence.

Please share this post with someone who needs to know they’re not alone. Sharing can be the first step in breaking the silence and opening the door to healing.

References:
Taylor, R., & Kuo, B. C. H. (2025). “That’s just not something we do”: Understanding why Black individuals in Canada are not seeking professional help for mental health needs. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2025.2473049

About the Author:
Renée Taylor is a psychologist and the founder of Sankofa Wellness. She specializes in culturally responsive therapy, particularly for Black individuals and couples, and is passionate about bridging gaps in mental health care.