Strong friendships and family ties help offset the mental impact of racism
Social connections help mitigate the harms associated with racism and discrimination, according to a new study from Statistics Canada.
Based on data collected in the 2023-2024 survey series, People and their Communities, strong personal relationships were related to much lower levels of fair or poor mental wellbeing among those who experienced discrimination.
Thirteen per cent of people who experienced discrimination but were highly satisfied with their family relationships reported poor mental health, compared to 42 per cent of victims who lacked these same supports.
Racialized Canadians who experienced discrimination, but had a strong family and friends’ network, also self-reported higher levels of life satisfaction. They also had more positive outlooks on Canadian unity, democracy and economic opportunity.
Almost half of racialized Canadians have faced racism and discrimination in the past five years, according to the study. In 2024, 45 per cent of racialized Canadians 15 and older reported experiencing at least one incident of discrimination because of their race or ethnicity in the previous five years.
Atlantic Canada reported the highest rates of discrimination and racism, with 55 per cent of respondents reporting at least one experience since 2019.
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