Facilitating Mental Health Support for LGBT Forced Migrants: A Qualitative Inquiry |
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| Authors: | Sarilee Kahn Edward J. Alessi Hanna Kim Leah Woolner Christina J. Olivieri |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;2. School of Social WorkRutgers University;3. AGIR, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Evidence suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who flee their countries of origin may arrive in host countries with persecution‐related mental health problems. This qualitative study explored facilitators and barriers to mental health care in Canada for forced migrants who are LGBT through the perspectives of 22 service providers and 7 migrants. Using thematic analysis, the authors identified 4 themes: recognizing stigma and shame, accessing competent mental health providers, managing distress/manifesting resilience, and healing through community connections. The authors discuss implications for counseling. |
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| Keywords: | LGBT forced migrants mental health refugees gateway providers |
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