Khanlou, NazillaShanmuganandapala, Babitha2020-11-132020-11-132020-072020-11-13http://hdl.handle.net/10315/37884Literature on the mental health of Tamil youth of Sri Lankan origin living in Canada is scant. In this study, I applied an interpretive descriptive approach to explore, discover, and understand the meanings, beliefs, practices, and experiences of health, well-being, and mental health of thirteen first and second-generation Sri Lankan Tamil youth. I used a convergent parallel mixed methods research design and applied an emancipatory approach to informing culturally competent mental health nursing practice, influenced by critical race, postcolonial feminist and intersectionality theories. Parents, the Tamil community and Tamil culture emerged as major themes reflecting the important roles they play in Tamil youths mental well-being. Experiences related to the Sri Lankan civil war/genocide and immigration appear to impact both collective and intergenerational trauma and resilience. Recommendations include applying a holistic, trauma-informed and integrated/multilevel approach, including traditional and collective methods of healing, capacity building and recognition/acknowledgement of the Tamil Genocide.Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Public healthElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2020-11-13HealthMental healthWell-beingSelf-esteemIdentityBelongingMeaningBeliefsPracticesExperiencesSocial determinants of healthMental illnessDisabilityResilienceTamil youthTamil cultureSri LankaGenocideWarTamil GenocideMixed methodsTorontoCanadaMulticulturalismCultural competenceCritical racePost colonial feministIntersectionalityTraumaCollective traumaCollective copingIntergenerational traumaIntergenerational resilienceHolisticTrauma informedMental health systemHealth equitySocial justiceHuman rightsCollectivismInterpretive descriptionStigmaHelp seekingGenderMentorSocial supportSuicideSuicidal ideationsSelf-harmSubstance useAnger managementRole modelMental health servicesCommunityHypermasculinityMigrationImmigrationImmigrantRefugeeVisible minorityEthnic originRacializedRacializationPatriarchyYouthEmerging adultsSystems modelMicrosystemMacrosystemMesosystemWar crimesCanadian-TamilPre-migrationPost-migrationPTSDPost traumatic stress disorderIntegrationLTTEInterpersonal violenceCultural identityCultureEthnonursingHealth promotionRaceDiscriminationPracticePoliciesResearchTraditional healingTamil