Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers
This learning note identifies key insights and challenges that newcomers experience in relation to their mental health and provides recommendations for how programs and services can support the mental health of newcomers in Canada. This learning note identifies key insights and challenges that newcomers experience in relation to their mental health and provides recommendations for how programs and services can support the mental health of newcomers in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
More research is needed on the specific health and wellbeing needs of racialized newcomers, especially for mental health in the rapidly growing Filipino-Canadian diaspora. Focus groups with Filipino men in Calgary, AB discussed: Filipino immigrant men’s conceptualization of mental illness, health, and stigma; gender and intergenerational expectations as a form of mental health stigma; and motivations to join a mental health ambassador program for Asian immigrant men in Canada. More research is needed on the specific health and wellbeing needs of racialized newcomers, especially for mental health in the rapidly growing Filipino-Canadian diaspora. Focus groups with Filipino men in Calgary, AB discussed: Filipino immigrant men’s conceptualization of mental illness, health, and stigma; gender and intergenerational expectations as a form of mental health stigma; and motivations to join a mental health ambassador program for Asian immigrant men in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This report presents the findings of research conducted for the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The research aimed to identify the settlement needs of immigrants in the Wood Buffalo region, assess how well services meet their needs and develop areas for action. Data was gathered through a review of census data, an immigrant survey, focus groups with immigrants and focus groups and interviews with service providers and ethnocultural organizations. Results describe settlement challenges across 9 different categories, as well as multiple barriers to accessing services. Recommendations are provided to help Wood Buffalo LIP improve the resettlement experiences of newcomers to the area. This report presents the findings of research conducted for the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). The research aimed to identify the settlement needs of immigrants in the Wood Buffalo region, assess how well services meet their needs and develop areas for action. Data was gathered through a review of census data, an immigrant survey, focus groups with immigrants and focus groups and interviews with service providers and ethnocultural organizations. Results describe settlement challenges across 9 different categories, as well as multiple barriers to accessing services. Recommendations are provided to help Wood Buffalo LIP improve the resettlement experiences of newcomers to the area.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of depression among African immigrant men in Southern Alberta. The study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative research design using focused semi-structured interviews with ten African immigrant men. Thematic analysis showed that African men went through episodes of sadness and frustrations due to intersection of challenges post-migration, which negatively impacted both their physical and mental health. However, instead of seeking professional help, they employed a series of coping mechanisms to mitigate, tolerate, or overcome the mental distress. It was evident that African men’s cultural constructions around masculinity influenced how they perceived, interpreted, and expressed their mental distress. Culture and masculinity also shaped their strategies for coping with the mental distress and behaviour towards help-seeking. It is recommended that stakeholders and policy makers apply cultural safety approaches to support African immigrant men to enhance their mental well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of depression among African immigrant men in Southern Alberta. The study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative research design using focused semi-structured interviews with ten African immigrant men. Thematic analysis showed that African men went through episodes of sadness and frustrations due to intersection of challenges post-migration, which negatively impacted both their physical and mental health. However, instead of seeking professional help, they employed a series of coping mechanisms to mitigate, tolerate, or overcome the mental distress. It was evident that African men’s cultural constructions around masculinity influenced how they perceived, interpreted, and expressed their mental distress. Culture and masculinity also shaped their strategies for coping with the mental distress and behaviour towards help-seeking. It is recommended that stakeholders and policy makers apply cultural safety approaches to support African immigrant men to enhance their mental well-being.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Interview with Jose (they/he), a queer, non-binary Mexican immigrant living in St. Albert, AB. Jose talks about how their supportive parents changed their entire coming out experience, especially as a Catholic immigrant. Interview with Jose (they/he), a queer, non-binary Mexican immigrant living in St. Albert, AB. Jose talks about how their supportive parents changed their entire coming out experience, especially as a Catholic immigrant.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
RaricaNow CEO, Adebayo Katiti, is a Ugandan refugee and a Black trans man. He speaks about the importance of Trans Day of Remembrance and the inequities that trans people, especially Black trans people, continue to face in Canada. RaricaNow is an organization in Edmonton, AB that provides settlement supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers. RaricaNow CEO, Adebayo Katiti, is a Ugandan refugee and a Black trans man. He speaks about the importance of Trans Day of Remembrance and the inequities that trans people, especially Black trans people, continue to face in Canada. RaricaNow is an organization in Edmonton, AB that provides settlement supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees and newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Administrative data was used to study COVID-19 vaccine coverage in immigrants and refugees compared to the Canadian-born population. Broadly, immigrants and refugees (78.2%) had comparable vaccine coverage to Canadian-born individuals (76%). However, initiatives to improve vaccine coverage is needed for older immigrants, immigrants in rural areas, and immigrants from certain ethnicities. Administrative data was used to study COVID-19 vaccine coverage in immigrants and refugees compared to the Canadian-born population. Broadly, immigrants and refugees (78.2%) had comparable vaccine coverage to Canadian-born individuals (76%). However, initiatives to improve vaccine coverage is needed for older immigrants, immigrants in rural areas, and immigrants from certain ethnicities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Accessible primary health care is essential for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. This study explored barriers to accessing care among a relatively less studied immigrant population group, Nepalese immigrant women, which will help effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary health care for the wider immigrant population in Canada. Community-engaged focus groups were conducted in Calgary, AB. The focus groups identified long wait times as a major barrier to receiving PHC services, along with lack of proficiency in English, lack of access to medical records, competing responsibilities and unfamiliarity with the Canadian healthcare system. Accessible primary health care is essential for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. This study explored barriers to accessing care among a relatively less studied immigrant population group, Nepalese immigrant women, which will help effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary health care for the wider immigrant population in Canada. Community-engaged focus groups were conducted in Calgary, AB. The focus groups identified long wait times as a major barrier to receiving PHC services, along with lack of proficiency in English, lack of access to medical records, competing responsibilities and unfamiliarity with the Canadian healthcare system.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially. The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The sexual health needs of female immigrant adolescents in Canada have been largely unmet and have increased in magnitude over the last few years. For immigrant female adolescents of Pakistani descent, who are also racialized youth in Canada, the silence around issues of sexuality needs can affect their physical, emotional, and sexual health and well-being, and ability to reach their full potential. Evidence suggests that immigrant adolescents lack sexual and reproductive health knowledge and use fewer sexual health-related services and sex education resources than do non-immigrant youth. In Pakistani immigrant adolescents, this difference appears to be associated with sociocultural and religious practices. The overarching purpose of this dissertation is to contribute towards improving sexual health of female immigrant adolescents living in Canada. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience of developing sexuality and its relationship to developing identity and well-being in middle- to late- female adolescents of Pakistani-descent, living in a large urban area in Alberta, Canada. This study sought to create space for dialogue and to explore the perceived cultural influence on issues of sexuality that often arise among individuals from different cultural backgrounds using the postmodern feminist lens. An art-based strategy was used to conduct research with 21 female adolescents who were of first- or second-generation Pakistani-descent. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and having participants create a relevant timeline. The sexual health needs of female immigrant adolescents in Canada have been largely unmet and have increased in magnitude over the last few years. For immigrant female adolescents of Pakistani descent, who are also racialized youth in Canada, the silence around issues of sexuality needs can affect their physical, emotional, and sexual health and well-being, and ability to reach their full potential. Evidence suggests that immigrant adolescents lack sexual and reproductive health knowledge and use fewer sexual health-related services and sex education resources than do non-immigrant youth. In Pakistani immigrant adolescents, this difference appears to be associated with sociocultural and religious practices. The overarching purpose of this dissertation is to contribute towards improving sexual health of female immigrant adolescents living in Canada. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experience of developing sexuality and its relationship to developing identity and well-being in middle- to late- female adolescents of Pakistani-descent, living in a large urban area in Alberta, Canada. This study sought to create space for dialogue and to explore the perceived cultural influence on issues of sexuality that often arise among individuals from different cultural backgrounds using the postmodern feminist lens. An art-based strategy was used to conduct research with 21 female adolescents who were of first- or second-generation Pakistani-descent. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and having participants create a relevant timeline.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
