Mental health interventions
Emerging research shows that formal and informal support may help promote the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers. Support groups for African and Caribbean 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees, for example, help reduce self-reported stigma about their sexual orientation, reduce social isolation, contribute to self-acceptance and provide strategies to deal with settlement challenges such as those related to housing, employment and health (Logie et al., 2016). Other studies show that social support is especially important for 2SLGBTQ+ refugees' sense of belonging because they may not receive support from their families or ethnocultural communities (Kahn, 2015).
Social support that also helps meet 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers' concrete settlement needs such as housing, food or clothing, or with the refugee claims process, is recommended (Alessi, 2016). Without social ties, 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers may not achieve the stability and security or the knowledge of Canadian culture that helps with integration (Nematy et al, 2022; Ager & Strang, 2008).
2SLGBTQ+ persons may delay or avoid seeking services because of their experiences of past discrimination or perceived homophobia. Because 2SLGBTQ+ migrants may have come to expect rejection in their lives, it may be helpful for service providers, including settlement workers, to build an accepting, empowering and compassionate relationship with clients (Kahn et al., 2017).
We encourage service providers to follow these recommendations when working with 2SLGBTQ+ refugees:
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Avoid assumptions and develop a clear understanding of the individual's issues.
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Avoid imposing personal values and ideas on clients.
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Encourage clients to find community support.
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Advocate on clients' behalf as needed.
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Offer clients the same quality of services provided to anyone else, including access to services in multiple languages.
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Ensure confidentiality.
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Refer individuals to appropriate community organizations.
It is important to recognize that it takes time to establish a rapport with clients and that not all clients are motivated to fully engage with their provider.
Becoming LGBTQ+ inclusive: Tips for mainstream services
With Karlene Williams-Clarke (Operations Manager, The 519)
So for other settlement agencies that are providing services for newcomers on a whole, they have to remember that LGBTQ people, newcomers and refugees, should have a right to access services and not just be referred out to agencies that support LGBTQ folks. They need to consider: How are they being a positive and safe space for these individuals? How informed are they on LGBTQ newcomers and refugees' vulnerabilities? How are they being trauma-informed? How are they understanding the intersectionality between being LGBTQ and everything else? Just think about the way they'd want to be treated as a newcomer in a brand new country. And think about how you are providing these services. Look beyond the LGBTQ specific part of it and deal with folks and make people feel that they're important and that they can express themselves however they want because this is the space for it. They need to maybe get more capacity building. Talk to agencies that are supporting folks who are LGBTQ and see how it's done. Ask for training. Forget about your personal biases and look about that you're working in a sector that is service-oriented.
Increasing sources of resilience for 2SLGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees may include encouraging clients' connections with community organizations, relationships with significant others, reliance on religion and spirituality, and giving back to others (Alessi, 2016). Encouraging clients' affiliations with community organizations has been found to help improve their sources of resilience.
Featured resource
The APA's practice guidelines include Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients.