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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Supporting the Mental Health of Newcomers in Canada: Key Insights and Recommendations for Programming

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

Supporting Newcomer Youth in Canada: Key Considerations for Inclusive Programming

This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges that newcomer youth in Canada face throughout the settlement journey and identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomers youth in Canada. This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges that newcomer youth in Canada face throughout the settlement journey and identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomers youth in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Supporting Newcomer Seniors in Canada: Key Considerations for Inclusive Programming

This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges faced by newcomer seniors in Canada and identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and supportive programming. This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges faced by newcomer seniors in Canada and identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and supportive programming.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Supporting LGBTQI+ Newcomers in Canada: Considerations for Inclusive Programming

This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges, barriers, and unique needs of 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers in Canada. It identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and effective program to support the diverse experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers. This learning note provides a brief overview of the challenges, barriers, and unique needs of 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers in Canada. It identifies key considerations for designing inclusive and effective program to support the diverse experiences of 2SLGBTQI+ newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Integrating Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in the Development of Inclusive Programming for Newcomers in Canada

This learning note is intended to provide a brief overview of what GBA+ is and how it can be harnessed to create inclusive and effective programming for newcomers in Canada. This learning note is intended to provide a brief overview of what GBA+ is and how it can be harnessed to create inclusive and effective programming for newcomers in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Transitions to belonging: Evaluating the impacts of a community-based physical activity program through the lens of newcomer youth’s definitions of mental health

The immigrant population in Canada is rapidly increasing and projected to rise exponentially in the coming years. The immigrant population faces complex and diverse challenges when transitioning into a new country, and this occurrence may be uniquely experienced by youth, who are also navigating transitions in child development, most notably into adolescence. Embedded in a broader mixed methods pilot project, the aim of this thesis was to qualitatively investigate the impact of the Immigrant-based Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program on mental health and well-being. 21 Afghan refugee youth in Calgary, AB who participated in IPLAY were interviewed. Results indicated that youth held a holistic conceptualization of mental health, contrasting what is common practice in the field and literature. Such findings provide a rich tapestry of understanding into how newcomer youth define, understand, and experience mental health, and implications for stress management. The immigrant population in Canada is rapidly increasing and projected to rise exponentially in the coming years. The immigrant population faces complex and diverse challenges when transitioning into a new country, and this occurrence may be uniquely experienced by youth, who are also navigating transitions in child development, most notably into adolescence. Embedded in a broader mixed methods pilot project, the aim of this thesis was to qualitatively investigate the impact of the Immigrant-based Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program on mental health and well-being. 21 Afghan refugee youth in Calgary, AB who participated in IPLAY were interviewed. Results indicated that youth held a holistic conceptualization of mental health, contrasting what is common practice in the field and literature. Such findings provide a rich tapestry of understanding into how newcomer youth define, understand, and experience mental health, and implications for stress management.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Impeded sociability: Racial consciousness and racialized immigrants’ sense of sociable and unsociable places in semi-rural Alberta, Canada

This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement. This research examines everyday place-based experiences of settlement sociability among racialized immigrants based on the understanding that racial matters are spatial matters. Findings indicate that racialized immigrants felt comfortable in “de-racialized” spaces, where they were temporarily relieved from their ethnic visibility and a sense of being out of place. They were uncomfortable in areas that triggered “racialized insecurity,” where they felt vulnerable because of their racialized identity. The findings of this research call attention to the need for a closer inspection of how places of immigrant settlement and race are inextricably linked. The promotion of settlement sociability needs to go beyond physical proximity to social closeness, valuing co-ethnicity and cultural familiarity, especially in the initial stage of settlement.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership (LIP): Research Report

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

Experiences of depression among African immigrant men in Southern Alberta, Canada

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

Room for Growth: Queer Identity & the Immigrant Experience

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