Mental Health Needs of SOGIE Refugees in Canada: A Rapid Review
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
15 October 2024
Abstract
This rapid review investigated the mental health concerns of sexual orientation and gender identity expression (SOGIE) refugees in Canada. Database searches yielded 365 results across five databases, providing 12 papers for final thematic analysis once inclusion criteria were applied. Three themes emerged: (1) Stigma and discrimination negatively affected mental health and well-being; (2) SOGIE refugees faced challenges accessing services; and (3) the refugee claims process adversely affected well-being. Recommendations to improve SOGIE refugee well-being include implementing culturally safe policies in agencies, life-skills programs, and supportive spaces; promoting inclusivity, interprofessional collaboration between services, and innovative agency outreach to refugees; addressing biases in refugee claims boards and extending the refugee claim eligibility period.
Résumé
Cette recension rapide des écrits porte sur les difficultés de santé mentale des personnes réfugiées de diverses orientations sexuelles et identités de genre (OSIG) au Canada. Les recherches ont mis en évidence 365 résultats dans 5 bases de données, ce qui, à la suite de l’application des critères de sélection, a permis de retenir 12 articles qui ont été analysés thématiquement. Trois thèmes ont émergé : (1) La stigmatisation et la discrimination ont un impact négatif sur la santé mentale et le bien-être ; (2) Les personnes réfugiées de diverses OSIG ont eu des difficultés à accéder aux services ; (3) Le processus de demande d’asile a un effet néfaste sur le bien-être. Les recommandations pour améliorer le bien-être des personnes réfugiées de diverses OSIG incluent : la mise en œuvre de politiques culturellement sécuritaires, de programmes de formation sur les compétences de la vie quotidienne et d’espaces soutenants ; la promotion de l’inclusion, de la collaboration interprofessionnelle entre les services et de moyens novateurs pour contacter les personnes ; ainsi que la réduction des biais au sein des commissions étudiant les demandes d’asile et la prolongation de la période d’admissibilité pour faire une demande.
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 43 • Number 1 • March 2024
Pages: 55 - 83
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Version of record online: 15 October 2024
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Arooran Ananthavel Murugan, Robb Travers, Farid Louka, Karen Zaki, Melody Morton Ninomiya, and Todd A. Coleman. 2024. Mental Health Needs of SOGIE Refugees in Canada: A Rapid Review. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
43(1): 55-83. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2024-004
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