The Significance Of BIPoC
The majority of BIPoC mental health practitioners have the knowledge and experience to address the race-based stress that BIPOC clients experience due to racism, marginalization, and stigmatization (Crosby et al., 2022). Hence, building on the BIPoC client-therapist therapeutic alliance with cultural competence and representation, will increase participation within the BIPoC communities in the GTA, and across Canada to support their mental health and well-being.
Social science research indicates that Diversity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (hereafter DEI) helps groups and individuals succeed, which is why many groups and organizations have DEI initiatives (McKinny, n.d.). BIPoC counsellors can provide psychoeducation to inform participants of the knowledge to minimize the barriers and limitations i.e., stigmas around their specific mental health concerns, which may improve their attitudes and behaviours toward mental health (Motlova et al., 2017).
The 2021 Canadian census shows a rich depiction of the country’s ethnocultural diversity where racial minority groups shape the diverse landscape of the country. The depiction of racialized groups varies across the regions of Canada. For example, the South Asian, Chinese, and Black populations are the largest groups in Ontario, followed by Filipinos, Indians, and Arab people. According to data from the 2022 Canadian Social Survey, immigrants (79.5%) are much more likely than non-immigrants (47.6%) to place importance on their ethnic or cultural origins.
According to the 2020 General Social Survey, 92.0% of the population aged 15 and older agreed that ethnic or cultural diversity is a Canadian value. Since there is the majority of racial minority groups within the GTA, and another 30 million immigrants are to be welcomed in Canada by 2030, support for these communities on a systemic macro level will be imperative.
Consequently, services for the BIPoC communities through cultural representation will allow for improved transitions in acculturation with further social support in mental health and wellness.
Serving The Community
Cultural Competence is a lifelong process in which one works to develop the ability to engage in actions or create conditions that maximize the optimal development of client and client systems. Multicultural counselling competence is aspirational and consists of counsellors acquiring awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to function effectively in a pluralistic democratic society, and on an organizational and societal level, advocating effectively to develop new theories, practices, policies, and organizational structures that are more responsive to all groups. Black Indigenous Persons of Colour (BIPOC) mental health practitioners are aware and responsive to racialized trauma (race-stress) within the BIPOC communities which will further build the therapeutic alliance allowing for a safe space for diverse clients.
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