The mental health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) refugees: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) refugees often experience discrimination, resulting in high rates of trauma. This scoping review examined the mental health challenges and treatment recommendations for LGBT refugees.

Method

Six databases for peer reviewed articles were searched resulting in inclusion of 27 studies. Eight health guidelines databases, two government document databases, and Google were searched for grey literature resulting in inclusion of nine pieces of grey literature. Categories identified were trauma, mental illness, psychosocial challenges, improving service utilization, recommendations for clinical practice, and social interventions.

Result

Psychosocial challenges such as resettlement difficulties, lack of support, and social exclusion were highlighted. Interventional strategies were identified.

Conclusion

LGBT refugees have unique and complex mental health needs. Mental health professionals should utilize specific interventions to improve outcomes for this population.

Keywords:

• LGBT
• refugee
• mental health

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the staff and youth support workers at Youth Without Shelter inclusive of Ben Omoregie, Emmy Pineda and Zung Nguyen.

Ethics and data availability

No institutional approval was required or obtained.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.