Helpful Resources
Max Niedzwiecki, Ph.D.
Rainbow Initiative, Episcopal Migration Ministries
Special thanks to:
Janet Day-Strehlow, European Institute of Christian Studies
The Rev. Canon Alison Grey, Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
Anita H. Fábos, Ph.D., Department of Sustainability and Social Justice, Clark University
Mental health challenges and solutions of LGBTQ+ forced migrants
Alessi, E.J. (2016.) Resilience in sexual and gender minority forced migrants: A qualitative exploration. Traumatology 2016, 22(3): 203-213. Full text. Journal abstract.
American Psychiatric Association. (N.d.) Mental health facts on refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of forced displacement. Full text.
American Psychological Association, Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. (N.d.) LGBTQ asylum seekers: How clinicians can help. Full text.
Bird, C., Somantri, A.R., Narasimhan, R., Lee, I., Bowers, G., Loo, S., Piwowarczyk, L., & Ng, L.C. (2024.) Mental health disparities of sexual minority refugees and asylum seekers: Provider perspectives on trauma exposure, symptom presentation, and treatment approach. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 71(4), 229–241. Full article.
Attia, M., Das, B., Tang, S., Qiu, Y., Li, H, & Nguyen, C. (2023.) Post-traumatic growth and resilience of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in the United States. The Counseling Psychologist , 2023, 5(7): 1005-1036. Full article. Journal abstract.
Burgess, A., Potocky, M. & Alessi, E.J. (2021.) A preliminary framework for understanding suicide risk in LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers. Intervention 2021, 19(2): 187-196. Full text.
Castro, V.A., King, W.M., Augustaitis, L., Saylor, K., & Gamarel, K.E. (2022.) A scoping review of health outcomes among transgender migrants. Transgender Health 2022, 7(5): 385-396. Full text. Journal abstract.
Diaz, R.M., Ayala, G., Bein, E., Henne, J., & Marin, B.V. (2001.) The impact of homophobia, poverty, and racism on the mental health of gay and bisexual Latino men: Findings from 3 US cities. American Journal of Public Health 2001, 91(6): 927-932. Full text. Journal abstract.
Fox, S., Griffin, R.H., & Pachankis, J. (2020.) Minority stress, social integration, and the mental health needs of LGBTQ asylum seekers in North America. Social Science & Medicine 2020, 246: 112727. Full text.
Gottvall, M., Kissiti, R., Ainembabazi, R., Bergman, H., Eldebo, A., Isaac, R., … Carlsson, T. (2024.) Mental health and societal challenges among forced migrants of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions: health professionals’ descriptions and interpretations. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 26(8), 1088–1103. Full text.
Hermaszewska, S., Sweeney, A., Camminga, B., Rotelle, R., Elliott, K., & Sin, J. (2022.) Lived experiences of transgender migrants and their mental health outcomes: Systematic review and meta-ethnography. BJPsych Open 2022, 8, e91, 1-13. Full text.
Higgins R, Hansen B, Jackson BE, Shaw A, Lachowsky NJ. (2021.) Programs and interventions promoting health equity in LGBTQ2+ populations in Canada through action on social determinants of health. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2021 Dec;41(12):431-435. Full text.
Istiko, S.N., Liem, A., Surijah, E.A., & Correa-Velez, I. (2024.) Understanding key priority areas of mental health among queer asylum seekers and refugees in Australia through the lens of structural violence: A modified Delphi method study, Journal of Refugee Studies, 2024;, feae067. Full article.
Kostenius, C., Hertting, K., Pelters, P., & Lindgren, E. C. (2021). From Hell to Heaven? Lived experiences of LGBTQ migrants in relation to health and their reflections on the future. Culture, Health & Sexuality 2021, 24(11): 1590–1602. Full text.
Nematy, A., Namer, Y., & Razum, O. (2023.) LGBTQI+ refugees’ and asylum seekers’ mental health: A qualitative systematic review. Sexuality Research and Social Policy 2023, 20: 636-663. Full text.
Niedzwiecki, Max. (2023.) We shall overcome: A case study of the LGBT Asylum Task Force, a parish ministry. In Elżbieta Goździak and Izabella Main (Eds.) What’s God got to do with it? Debating religion and forced migration entanglements. Palgrave Macmillan. Full article.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-23379-1_7
Papadopoulos, S., Castro Romero, M., & Semlyen, J. (2023.) Collective resistance as a means to healing. A narrative participatory study with sexual minority refugee & asylum-seeking people. Psychology & Sexuality, 15(3), 318–333. Full article.
Phillimore, J., Block, K., Bradby, H., Ozcurumez, S., & Papoutsi, A. (2022.) Forced migration, sexual and gender-based violence and integration: Effects, risks and protective factors. Journal of International Migration and Integration 2022 24: 715-745. Full article.
Porter, M., & Haslam, N. (2005.) Predisplacement and postdisplacement factors associated with mental health of refugees and internally displaced persons: A meta-analysis. JAMA 2005, 294(5): 602-612. Full text. Journal abstract.
Rodriguez, D.G. (2023.) Critiquing trends and identifying gaps in the literature on LGBTQ refugees and asylum-seekers. Refugee Survey Quarterly 2023, 42: 518-541. Full text.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2023.) Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP23-06-05-005. LINK
Switchboard. 2019. Access to mental health services for refugees and other vulnerable immigrants in the U.S. LINK
Switchboard. (N.d.) Trauma-informed care: A primer for service providers. LINK
Trauma Informed Oregon. N.d. Trauma informed care screening tool. LINK
Yarwood, V., Checchi, F., Lau, K., & Zimmerman, C. (2022.) LGBTQI+ migrants: A systematic review and conceptual framework of health, safety and wellbeing during migration. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 869. Full text.
Mental health challenges and solutions for helpers
Bosch, D, Jones, A, Guy, J, Pearlman, L, and Williamson, R. (2020). Going the distance: Managing the emotional challenges of humanitarian aid work. Headington Institute. LINK
British Medical Association. (2024.) Vicarious trauma: Signs and strategies for coping. LINK
Cameron L, McCauley M, van den Broek N, and McCauley H. (2024,) The occurrence of and factors associated with mental ill-health amongst humanitarian aid workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024 May 15;19(5):e0292107. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292107. PMID: 38748709; PMCID: PMC11095667. LINK
Cleveland Clinic. (2024.) Vicarious trauma: What to do when others’ distress impacts your well-being. LINK
Kim J, Chesworth B, Franchino-Olsen H, Macy RJ. (2022.) A Scoping Review of Vicarious Trauma Interventions for Service Providers Working With People Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2022 Dec;23(5):1437-1460. doi: 10.1177/1524838021991310. Epub 2021 Mar 9. PMID: 33685294; PMCID: PMC8426417. LINK
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. (N.d.) The Sanctuary Course. LINK
