The death of a 27-year-old Kenyan refugee at a Toronto shelter last week has ignited renewed calls for better mental health supports for newcomers navigating Canada’s immigration system.
James Maina, who arrived in Canada seeking asylum just three months ago, was found unresponsive in his room at a downtown shelter. Friends say he had been struggling with depression and isolation since arriving in the country, but couldn’t access appropriate mental health services despite reaching out for help several times.
“He kept telling me he didn’t know how to get help,” said Sarah Kimani, a fellow Kenyan immigrant who met Maina during a community gathering. “The system is overwhelming when you don’t understand it, and he was caught between waiting for his work permit and trying to survive day-to-day.”
Community leaders from Toronto’s African diaspora gathered yesterday outside the shelter where Maina died, demanding immediate action from all levels of government to address what they describe as a mental health crisis among refugee claimants.
“This young man’s death was preventable,” said Pastor Emmanuel Odongo of the East African Community Support Network. “We’re seeing more and more cases of severe depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts among newcomers who feel trapped in limbo, waiting for their claims to be processed while living in increasingly crowded shelters.”
According to recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, asylum claims have increased by 46% over the past year. Toronto’s shelter system is currently operating beyond capacity, with approximately 9,800 people—including about 3,200 refugee claimants—using the system nightly.
The psychological toll of displacement coupled with the challenges of integration has created what mental health professionals describe as a perfect storm for vulnerable populations.
“When people flee their countries, they often bring significant trauma with them,” explained Dr. Amina Yusuf, a psychiatrist specializing in refugee mental health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. “Then they face new stressors: language barriers, cultural differences, isolation, and uncertain immigration status. Without proper supports, this combination can be devastating.”
Toronto City Councillor Alejandra Bravo, who represents the ward where the shelter is located, acknowledged the strain on the system but emphasized the need for coordinated solutions.
“We need federal immigration processing to move faster and with more support for claimants during the waiting period,” Bravo said. “The city is doing what it can, but we need structural changes and dedicated funding for refugee mental health programs.”
The city’s Newcomer Office launched a pilot program last year offering culturally sensitive counseling at three shelters, but the initiative remains underfunded and unavailable at most locations. Advocates argue this gap in services creates dangerous situations for vulnerable people like Maina.
“James fell through the cracks,” said Michael Thambu, director of the African Canadian Social Development Council. “He didn’t qualify for provincial health coverage yet, couldn’t afford private therapy, and the community resources that do exist were stretched too thin to provide the intensive support he needed.”
At yesterday’s gathering, community members shared stories of their own struggles navigating mental health challenges during their settlement journeys. Many described feeling invisible within a system they say prioritizes processing efficiency over human wellbeing.
Maina’s death comes amid mounting pressure on the federal government to address broader issues within Canada’s immigration system. Last month, Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged processing backlogs and promised additional resources, though mental health supports weren’t specifically mentioned in the announcement.
Toronto Public Health data shows concerning trends in mental health outcomes among recent immigrants, with studies indicating elevated rates of depression among refugee claimants compared to other newcomer groups. Yet specialized services remain scarce, particularly those offering support in languages other than English and French.
“We need mental health first aid training in shelters, multilingual crisis counselors, and expedited health coverage for asylum seekers,” said Dr. Yusuf. “The cost of these interventions is far less than the human and economic cost of not addressing the problem.”
For Toronto’s Kenyan community, Maina’s death has become a rallying point for broader advocacy. Community leaders have scheduled meetings with provincial health officials and plan to present recommendations for improved services at next month’s city council meeting.
“James came to Canada with hope for a better life,” said Pastor Odongo, his voice breaking during yesterday’s gathering. “We cannot let his death be in vain. Every person who seeks refuge in this country deserves dignity, safety, and mental wellness.”
As shelter staff distributed mental health resource cards to residents following the memorial, the contradiction wasn’t lost on attendees: the very resources that might have helped Maina were being shared only after his death—a painful reminder of the gaps that remain in supporting those most vulnerable.
