Co-Designing a Competency Framework for Mental Health Professionals Supporting Black Youth

Background: Systemic racism and discrimination contribute to disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among Black youth in Canada. Mental health professionals often lack the culturally responsive tools needed to adequately support this population. This research aims to address this gap by developing a competency framework, co-created with Black youth, to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to deliver culturally relevant and effective care. Approach: To draft the competency framework, the study utilizes a participatory action research, multi-method qualitative description design with a two-step methodology. First, the study involves conducting a scoping review to synthesize existing literature on competency frameworks for mental health and youth service providers, evaluating their development methods, implementation determinants, and alignment with culturally responsive care and equity-related factors. Subsequently, using a participatory action research approach, this study involves co-designing a competency framework with Black youth aged 12–29 through arts-based digital workshops. Led in collaboration with digital artist Kofi Oduro, these workshops use experimental worldbuilding, creative coding, and interaction design to help participants articulate their mental health experiences. Findings from the scoping review and workshops will inform the framework, ensuring it is rooted in lived experiences, relevant to youth and evidence-informed. Results: The framework will integrate insights from the workshops and literature synthesis to draft culturally responsive competencies. The research also makes a significant methodological contribution by employing an arts-based participatory (i.e. research-creation) approach, offering a novel method for empowering marginalized communities and addressing power imbalances in research. Moreover, it highlight determinants that can influence the implementation of the competency framework. Implications: This study demonstrates that co-design approaches can empower marginalized communities and inform systemic change. The resulting competency framework will serve as a guide for improving culturally responsive care, addressing systemic inequities, and potentially enhancing mental health outcomes for Black youth. Future steps include stakeholder consultations with health education professionals, mental health providers, and health system administrators, including representatives from regulatory bodies as well as disseminating findings to mental health organizations, educational institutions and policymakers

Action research · Citizen journalism · Cultural competence · Health care · Mental health · Participatory action research · Participatory design · Participatory evaluation · Racism · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Community Health and Development · Participatory Visual Research Methods