A scoping review of socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare services for refugee and immigrant women in Canada: reflections for Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Abstract
This scoping review aims to identify socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare services for immigrant and refugee women in Canada, with a particular focus on Winnipeg, Manitoba, to guide the development of policies and interventions to improve access to mental healthcare services for this population. The main research question for this thesis asks, “What is currently known about the socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare services for refugee and immigrant women in Canada with reflections for Winnipeg, Manitoba?” The Arksey and O’Malley framework, 2005 is the methodology of this scoping review. MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, JSTOR, and Women’s Studies International have been searched for publications in English. The Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA) flow diagram has been used for study selection. The study findings suggest that newcomer women face various socio-cultural barriers when accessing mental healthcare services, such as lack of cultural knowledge, differences in expectations, social stigma, discrimination, and system complexity. Language barriers were the most common, leading to difficulty in communication, understanding diagnoses, and accessing appropriate services. Cultural beliefs around mental illness and the stigma associated with seeking mental health services were also major barriers. Immigrant and refugee women often have limited trust in the healthcare system due to past experiences of discrimination or mistreatment. These barriers clearly indicate that the current system still lacks cultural competency in providing appropriate care. As access to healthcare, including mental healthcare, is a fundamental human right, it is important to work towards equitable access for all, irrespective of status.