Maple News reports that an innovative mental health initiative is now available to newcomers in Ontario, aiming to support their mental health and ease their integration into Canadian society. The Newcomers’ Health and Well-Being Program, led by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region & South Simcoe, launched in August with $2.2 million in funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This comprehensive program targets immigrants and refugees aged 12 and older.
Upon arriving in Canada, immigrants are typically healthier than the local population—a trend known as the “healthy immigrant effect.” However, this health advantage often fades over time due to cultural adjustment, language barriers, and the stress of integration. According to recent data from Statistics Canada, this deterioration can lead to heightened risks of depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues.
Jun Maranan, Director of Services for the Newcomers’ Health and Well-Being Program at CMHA-YRSS, emphasized the complex challenges new immigrants face: “Common concerns include post-traumatic stress from past experiences, acculturative stress, grief, and loss.” Studies have consistently found that immigrants and refugees experience higher incidences of mental distress, particularly those who have fled conflict or persecution.
While some mental health and settlement services exist for newcomers in Canada, many are not tailored to their specific cultural and emotional needs. Additionally, barriers such as lack of awareness or stigma around mental health may prevent people from seeking help, leaving many struggling in silence.
This new program intends to close those gaps with a culturally sensitive, wide-ranging approach to mental wellness. Services include mental and physical health assessments, individual and family counselling, psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, and wellness training. The holistic approach aims not only to diagnose and treat but also to empower immigrants to build resilient, healthy lives in Canada.
The CMHA-YRSS initiative marks a significant step toward integrating mental health into the settlement process itself—ensuring that mental wellness is seen as foundational to success in a new country. By addressing the mental health needs of immigrants early and thoroughly, Canada is helping newcomers build stronger and more sustainable futures.
Maple News continues to follow developments in immigrant well-being as Canada strengthens support systems for its growing newcomer population.