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Racism’s Impact on Mental Health in Canada: Understanding the Effects, Who’s Affected, and Where to Find Support
Experiencing racism harms mental health in measurable, profound ways. Research consistently shows that racial discrimination increases rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and chronic stress among those targeted. In Canada, racialized communities face unique psychological burdens: the hypervigilance required to navigate daily microaggressions, the emotional labor of explaining and justifying your existence, and the compounding trauma of systemic barriers in housing, employment, and healthcare. These aren’t abstract concepts. They show up as sleepless nights, persistent worry, physical health problems, and strained …