{
  "abstract": "Due to global crises such as COVID-19, war and racism, BIPOC families face significant challenges in accessing reliable health support. Consequently, many caregivers turn to online platforms for connection, parenting and health guidance. However, existing online parenting resources often lack reliability and cultural-linguistic inclusivity. In response, our team launched Our Kids’ Health, a social media-based health initiative delivering free, evidence-based, culturally relevant parenting resources co-designed using community-based participatory methods for 10 cultural-linguistic groups: Arabic, Black-African-Caribbean, Cantonese, Filipino/Tagalog, Hispanic/Latinx, Inuit, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tamil, and Ukrainian. To explore the initiative’s impact, a mixed-methods study was conducted to examine its influence on parental empowerment, competence, and mental health. Social media data analysis and pre-post interviews were conducted with caregivers who identified with one of our cultural-linguistic groups and had followed the platform for at least 12 months. Initial findings indicate a substantial need for such initiative. This platform has reached over 900K community members, with over 100M views across more than 40 countries. Through 15 in-depth interviews, caregivers reported: i) increased understanding of child health through new information ii) improved parental mental health by adapting parenting strategies, iii) increased empowerment in health decision-making, iv) enhanced critical thinking around health information, and v) greater trust in health professionals. Our Kids’ Health demonstrates promising outcomes in improving health and parenting behaviors, as well as the overall well-being of caregivers. With a high level of global engagement, it contributes to reducing mental health disparities, empowering caregivers, and advancing health equity among marginalized communities.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada"
      ],
      "name": "Ripudaman Minhas"
    }
  ],
  "title": "25 Leveraging social media for culturally-inclusive parental mental health support in BIPOC families",
  "uid": "09b40eac-a523-5d50-ba28-57df49d2ea57"
}