Understanding the environmental risk factors on psychosis for refugees in Canada

Every year Canada becomes home to thousands of refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world who are fleeing persecution from their country of origin. Extensive research in several European countries has shown that all categories of psychosis are higher in migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and minority ethnic populations than in the host population, with psychosocial factors identified as a key contributing factor to the higher incidence in this population group. There is limited research in Canada on the incidence of psychotic disorders among all categories of migrants. This literature review aimed to analyse studies on the incidence of psychotic disorders in refugees and asylum seekers in Canada, primarily focusing on post-migratory factors relating to the social determinants of health. Findings from the selected study showed higher rates of psychotic disorders in refugees from East Africa and South Asia (95% and 51% increased risk, respectively) than in the general population (Anderson et al., 2015). The disparity of risk across ethnic subgroups suggests that environmental factors associated with migration may contribute to the risk of psychotic disorders (Anderson et al., 2015). Social Workers function in a vast array of roles in resettling migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Social Workers need to understand the psychosocial challenges faced by refugees in Canada to enable them to use appropriate practices and advocate for necessary policies, to inform Social Work interventions that are responsive o the complex needs of refugees. This paper has highlighted approaches of anti-oppressive and strength-based practices, cultural humility, peer support, group models and community empowerment to promote positive social identity and increase social connectedness to improve the mental well-being of refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minority groups in Canada.