Facilitating Mental Health Support for LGBT Forced Migrants: A Qualitative Inquiry

Sarilee Kahn, Edward J. Alessi, Hanna Kim, Leah Woolner, Christina J. Olivieri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)316-326
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Counseling and Development
Volume96
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Applied Psychology

Keywords

  • LGBT
  • forced migrants
  • gateway providers
  • mental health
  • refugees

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