In my preliminary literature review on the mental health of children and youth in the child welfare system, I came across an interesting article by Maldonado Fabela (2024) that positions the child welfare system as a social determinant of health. The author argues that recognizing child welfare in this way, could help reduce disparities among affected populations and lead to better health outcomes for this often-overlooked group—an idea I had not considered before.

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Maldonado Fabela (2024) notes that an individual’s involvement in the child welfare system can affect their health and well-being, which can significantly increase their risk of addictions, mental health issues and chronic illnesses throughout their lives. This is primarily due to the circumstances surrounding their involvement, such as domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, types of interventions provided by child welfare practitioners, and the length of involvement. Social stigma was also mentioned as contributing factor. 

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In Canada, the legacy of colonization and the residential school system, profoundly influences how Indigenous communities interact with the modern child welfare system, often resulting in negative experiences (Sixties Scoop, n.d.). Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective interventions that reduce both involvement in the system overall and the negative health outcomes associated with it (Maldonado Fabela, 2024).

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In terms of policy, the article advocates for the integration of health considerations into child welfare practices and the promotion of holistic approaches that recognize the interconnectedness of social services and healthcare. This coordinated approach is can improve outcomes for children and families with child welfare involvement.

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Maldonado Fabela (2024) goes on to highlight the need for future research on the long-term health impacts of children and youth in care, as well as the development of supportive interventions to mitigate the negative health consequences linked to the system.

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References

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Maldonado Fabela, K. (2024). The child welfare system as a social determinant of health. Sociology Compass, 18(5), e13210. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.13210

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Sixties Scoop. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/sixties_scoop/