1. The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in Canada - The Social and Economic Effects Mengxuan Xu (University of New Brunswick) 8 th National Metropolis Conference Vancouver, March 2006

2. Acknowledgement The Atlantic Metropolis Center Dr. Ted McDonald

3. Literature Review Mental health is influenced by demographic/SES factors Findings on ethnic variation in mental health are inconsistent The effect of migration on mental health is not clear HIE is more established with respect to physical health than mental health Mental health is measured by different indicators/ scoring systems

4. The Mental Health Index Seven components Depression Alcoholism Suicide ideation Stress Sense of belonging Emotional problems Mental health consultation Two-point scale measurement Final score ranges from 0 - 7

5. Model Where Y = Mental health T = Year dummy Z = Demo/SES/Immigration variables N = Local ethnic concentration D = Neighborhood fixed effects E = Minority fixed effects

6. Methodology Ordered probit modeling Model I Demographic control SES control Model II Arrival cohort effects Model III Ethnic network effects Separate estimates for Men & Women

7. Data CCHS (Canadian Community Health Survey) Cycle 1.1 and 2.1 Pooled cross-sectional Exclusions 2001 Census

8. Findings Positively related to mental health Income social support physical health Negatively related to mental health marriage disruption urban residence Better mental health among visible minorities than whites Better mental health among immigrants than Canadian-born (men only) Healthy immigrant effect not found Significant neighbourhood effects found for both men and women

9. Extensions Sensitivity analysis Exogeneity test Physical health Social support Mental health index Sub-index I (severe measures) Sub-index II (stress) Sub-index III (common measures)

10. Questions?