Urban: Most immigrants move to urban areas. In Alberta, the main cities for immigration is Calgary and Edmonton (Government of Alberta, 2009).

Men are more likely to involuntarily hospitalized for psychiatric conditions, with women being 45.1% of involuntary admissions and men being 54.9% in British Columbia in 2017/2018, which is likely comparable to Albertan statistics (Loyal et al., 2023, p. 250)

Women from Asian and African countries are more likely to have had roles as homemakers. When they come to Canada, due to financial constraints, they may be required to work. Yet they are still expected to continue in the home making role by their partners and in-laws. This can cause chronic stress and pressure on immigrant women (O’Mahony & Donnelly, 2007, p. 1178).

Men are more likely to come to Canada as independent immigrants, with their wives and families as dependent immigrants. It can take an additional ten years of sponsorship for some women and families to gain citizenship. During this time, there can be a significant and challenging power dynamic between male immigrants and their dependent families (O’Mahony & Donnelly, 2007, p. 1178).

A 2022 article noted that patients hospitalized for psychosis in Channai, India had more consistent and frequent family engagement over a two year period than patients in Montreal, Canada (Iyer et al., 2022, p. 1544).

There is a correlation between high temperatures and hospital admissions for schizophrenia. Patients are more likely to be put on psychiatric holds when temperatures reach 28 degrees Celsius or higher (Jahan et al., 2020 pp. 1427-1430). Average temperature in July and August in Lethbridge, Alberta is 26 degrees Celsius. It is lower in Calgary, at an average 23 degrees Celsius in July and August (Weatherspark, n.d.).

Severe vitamin D deficiency is also noted to have negative impacts on cognitive functioning scores for patients with schizophrenia. Higher education had a slight protective impact on this, but regardless, vitamin D deficiency should be a consideration in the assessment and care of those with schizophrenia (Zogbhi et al., 2020, p. 915). Albertan’s are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency, in part due to lack of sun exposure. Alberta Health Services therefore recommends vitamin D supplementation for all Albertans with doses varying by age (Alberta Health Services, 2023).

Alberta has a program to welcome and integrate immigrants that have in-demand skills or who plan to create a business. Immigrants must be able to provide for their families on their own. They may bring dependents such as spouses and children. It is called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (Government of Alberta, 2024)

Alberta has project grants for organizations that help integrate immigrants into Albertan society. This is called “Settlement, integration and language projects grants” (Government of Alberta, 2024)

Individuals who integrate into Canadian society have lower rates of chronic stress (Acharya, 1998, p. 5)

There is a major correlation between financial concerns and chronic stress, which affects overall mental health. The immigrant population in Canada is more likely to be underemployed and have chronic stress due to finances (Acharya, 1998, p. 5).

Housing and income support projects for those with mental health issues have been repeatedly shut down in Alberta over the years. Opponents of this argue that it is out of budget, and that housing projects decrease neighborhood safety and negatively impact housing prices in the area (Nykiforuk et al., 2024, p. 11).

There is a focus on individual responsibility and the use of hospitalization and pharmaceuticals in lieu of upstream approaches and prevention. This prevents appropriate legislation being put in place to improve mental health services province wide (Nykiforuk et al., 2024, p. 11).

Immigrants from underdeveloped countries earned less than immigrants from developed countries and Canadian-born individuals. Immigrants from underdeveloped countries had higher rates of working in intensive labour jobs (Acharya, 1998, p. 4).

Immigrant women are more likely to struggle with learning the language, due to traditional home-making roles that mean a lack of exposure to the new countries language (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Fear that interpreters may be part of their community and they will face judgement from the interpreter, or there could be a breach of confidentiality (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Family may insist on acting as interpreters for their loved ones, yet this can lead to the patient withholding information, or the family member misinterpreting information purposely or not (O’Mahony & Donnelly, 2007, p. 1178).

Family may insist on acting as interpreters for their loved ones, yet this can lead to the patient withholding information, or the family member misinterpreting information purposely or not (O’Mahony & Donnelly, 2007, p. 1178).

Persistent sadness and anxiety may be dismissed and not considered a health issue (Salami, 2019, p. 154).

Patients and their families may be afraid of deportation (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Families with loved ones suffering from schizophrenia may fear being separated from them or accused of triggering the mental illness (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Cultural norms and traditional roles may prevent fathers from being willing to care for the children if their wives are suffering from mental illness (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

The Canadian healthcare system can be disjointed and confusing to those not familiar with it. There can be several steps before reaching a psychiatrist for example- patients often need a referral from a family physician. These extra steps are particularly challenging for those with language barriers and socioeconomic barriers (O’Mahony & Donnelly, 2007, p. 1178).

Almost 200,000 people in Alberta are non-permanent residents. Work permit holders account for 59% of this group, study permit holders 24%, 8% had both work and study permits and 5% were seeking asylum (Government of Alberta, 2024)

51.2% of Albertan immigrants were female (Government of Alberta, 2009)

Schizophrenia is a condition that causes delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. It can have serious consequences on quality of life. It requires pharmaceutical treatment, as well as social support and in many cases, talk therapy. Early treatment can help prevent permanent declines in mental functioning (Mayo Clinic, 2024).

1 in 100 people will have schizophrenia in their lifetime (Schizophrenia Society of Alberta, 2016).

Provide childcare during therapy or psychiatry visits for immigrant mothers so they can have easier access without relying solely on their spouse’s support (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Advocate for free access to mental health care for the immigrant population, so schizophrenia can be noticed and addressed sooner (Salami, 2019, p. 155).

Advocate for improved community treatment options (Salami, 2019, p. 155).