CNERG: Photovoice: exploring the mental well-being of racialized immigrant youth in Toronto
Dr. Mustahid Husain, School of Business
This project, in collaboration with the Toronto Film Forum (TFF), a cultural hub for the Bangladeshi-Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), aimed to advance understanding of the socio-cultural factors affecting the mental health of young Bangladeshi-Canadian men. The objectives were to articulate the community's definitions of "success" and a "successful man," examine the development and amplification of social and economic pressures within the Bangladeshi diaspora and describe how young men navigate and contest these expectations. Data collection, interpretation, and dissemination were co-managed with community members, focusing on fathers, sons, and male community leaders in the GTA.
In response to alarming suicide rates and mental well-being issues among young Bangladeshi-Canadian men, this project utilized Photovoice, a visual participatory action research method with support from TFF. Twelve participants took photos representing their experiences, which were then used to create storyboards and guide discussions. Research activities included private and public exhibitions, seminars, and focus groups with participants and community members. The project culminated in public outreach through articles in Bengali and Canadian publications and a public awareness event. These efforts aimed to foster conversations on mental health, reduce stigma, and inspire program and policy changes to better support this vulnerable population.