Health is a human right.
There is a big gap in the German health sector when it comes to cultural sensitized and easily accessible (mental) health care services for queer refugees.
We aim to provide information for LGBTIQ* individuals, in terms of contact points in their area or general information about mental health, as well as offering guidelines and important facts for health professionals and everyone who's interested.
More Infos on the TopicMeeting points in your area
Learn about places where you can connect with others!
Information for Refugees
Information about mental health and who you can contact.
Information for Health Professionals
Guidelines, other information and research findings.
Click hereClick hereClick hereTrigger Warning: the following text contains the topic of (sexual) violence and rape!
General information on the topic
"Queer refugees need special attention when it comes to their health." - Gene Bogolepov
Queer refugees are at a high risk of suffering from (mental) health problems. Studies have shown that refugees are at a risk of suffering one mental disorder or the other, which commonly includes: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, major depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. A possible cause for that is the so-called ‘double-minority’, meaning that they experience stress and discrimination as a part of a gender minority and an ethnic minority, often with a precarious legal status as a refugee. Many of them had to leave their home, friends and family behind and went on an often traumatizing journey to a new country with a different environment and culture.
The experience of refugees could be divided into three phases; pre-flight experience, flight experience, and re-settlement experience:
Pre-flight experience could be for example; persecutions, physical violence and brutality, murder of a loved one, etc. Flight experience involves the journey from the country of origin, with so much uncertainties, to a foreign land for safety. Starting from getting a transportation means and being forced to take dangerous means like, staying in a camp with completely strange people, without good food and drinks, and at the same time facing rape and all manner of brutality from task masters, going through deserts and over Mediterranean seas to cross to Europe. Lastly, settlement experience is the stage they have to go through due process to be accepted and allowed to re-settle in the country of refuge.
For many queer people it was always necessary to suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity. Arriving in a new setting with a vivid LGBTIQ+ community can be perceived as intimidating.
Other problems may occur in their diaspora communities, where they might experience discrimination because of their sexual orientation, racism or discrimination in the LGBTIQ+ community. Additional to any trauma that might burden the individual all of these factors, as single influences or in combination, put a person at a high risk of experiencing (mental) health problems.
It is known that most refugees may lack needed mental health care as a result of scarcity of services, lack of information or wrong information about mental health care, language barrier, culture bias, and stigma against mental health.
A proper treatment in a trustworthy and safe environment is therefore crucial for supporting queer refugees. Due to the big gap in the German health sector when it comes to cultural sensitized and easily accessible (mental) health care services for queer refugees, it is important that general practitioners, psychotherapists, and other personnel in that sector are made aware of the situation and start to get informed about a culturally sensitized service provision.
Messih, M. M.D., M.Sc. : Mental Health in LGBT Refugee Populations
Walther, L., Fuchs, L.M., Schupp, J. et al. Living Conditions and the Mental Health and Well-being of Refugees: Evidence from a Large-Scale German Survey.
Meeting Points
in your Area
Here you can find a list of organizations in your city where you can ask for any kind of help or to just connect with new people!
You can also find which organizations are offering psycho-social support.
Vous trouverez ici une liste d’organismes dans votre ville où vous pouvez demander n’importe quel type d’aide ou tout simplement communiquer avec de nouvelles personnes! Vous pouvez également trouver les organismes qui offrent une aide psychosociale.
در اینجا می توانید فهرستی از سازمان ها را در شهر خود پیدا کنید که در آن می توانید هر نوع کمکی بخواهید یا فقط با افراد جدید ارتباط برقرار کنید! شما همچنین می توانید پیدا کنید که چه سازمان هایی حمایت روانی-اجتماعی ارائه می دهند.
Şehrinde bulunan bir sürü yardım alabileceğin ya da öylesine insanlarla buluşabileceğin organizasyonları bulabilirsin burada! Ayrıca hangi kuruluşların psiko-sosyal destek sunduğunu da bulabilirsiniz.
هنا سوف تجد قائمة بالمنظمات في مدينتك حيث يمكنك الحصول على مساعدة مختلفة أو حيث يمكنك بسهولة الالتقاء بأشخاص جدد!هنا سوف تجد أيضا المنظمات التي تقدم الدعم النفسي الاجتماعي.
Здесь вы найдёте список организаций в вашем городе, в которых вам будет оказана разная помощь или где вы сможете просто встретиться с новыми людьми! Также можно узнать, какие организации предлагают психосоциальную поддержку.
Please flip your phone screen to see the table properly
City
Organizations
Offer
Berlin
-> Support in finding social, juridical, medical & psychosocial support
-> psychosocial counseling
->psychosocial and legal counseling as well as support for LGBTIQ* refugees and people with migration biographies, people who identify as LGBTIQ* BIPoC and their relatives.
->The main subjects are: coming out, sexual and gender identity, emotional stress, as well as conflicts on housing or accommodation, and discrimination
Bielefeld
-> Support in coming out as well as exchange and networking with other queer refugees in the support group
Braunschweig
.
Bremen
-> psychosocial and legal counseling as well as support for LGBTIQ* refugees
Bonn
-> counseling on depression and thought of succide, general crisis
Bochum
-> psychosocial counselling for LGBTQ refugees, as well as for their friends and relatives
Chemnitz
This is some text inside of a div block.
Darmstadt
-> advice on current state of medical knowledge
->acute Crisis Management
Dortmund
-> general psychosocial counseling
Dresden
This is some text inside of a div block.
Düsseldorf
-> psychological counseling
Erfurt
This is some text inside of a div block.
Essen
-> psychological counseling
Frankfurt am Main
-> primary psychological and medical counseling
Freiburg im Breisgau
-> psychological counseling
Gelsenkirchen
This is some text inside of a div block.
Gießen
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hagen
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hamburg
-> psychosocial counseling
-> transfer to health professionals
Hanau
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hannover
This is some text inside of a div block.
Jena
-> psychosocial couseling
-> psychotherapy
Kassel
-> trans* counselling
Kiel
-> support in finding medical and psychosocial help
-> transfer to GPs and psychotherapist
Kleve
This is some text insi
Krefeld
-> psychosocial counseling
Köln
-> general counseling
-> accompany to doctors, agencies and other official appointments
-> help with translation issues
-> counseling on lots of topics (also on mental health problems, e.g. depression, anxiety, addiction) (multi-professional team with various consulting and therapy trainings. All counsellors are lesbian, gay, bi-, trans*, queer)
-> workshops for mental strength
Leipzig
-> psychological counseling
-> information and counseling on sexual orientation and gender identity
Lübeck
This is some text inside of a div block.
Magdeburg
This is some text inside of a div block.
Mainz
-> Counseling on several topics
Mannheim
This is some text inside of a div block.
Marburg
This is some text inside of a div block.
München
This is some text inside of a div block.
Münster
-> Counseling for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people and rainbow families
Nürnberg
-> counseling on different matters
Offenbach am Main
This is some text inside of a div block.
Potsdam
-> mental health counseling
Rostock
-> counseling for trans* people on transition
-> transfer to medical and psychological professionals
Saarbrücken
This is some text inside of a div block.
Stuttgart
-> psychosocial counseling
Trier
-> transfer to health professionals
Wiesbaden
-> transfer to psychotherapy
Würzburg
This is some text inside of a div block.
Trigger Warning: The following section addresses mental disorders and may trigger those. If you're not feeling well, please look at this part with a person close to you. If you experience any of these symptoms, please confide in someone and talk to a professional.
Information for Refugees
Here you can find information about mental health and about doctors in your area who are speaking other languages than Englisch or German!
Vous trouverez ici des informations sur la santé mentale et sur les médecins de votre région qui ne parlent pas seulement d’autres langues que l’anglais ou l’allemand!
در اینجا شما می توانید اطلاعات مربوط به سلامت روان و در مورد پزشکان در منطقه خود را که صحبت کردن به زبان های دیگر از انگلیش یا آلمانی پیدا کنید!
Aynı zamanda burada yine akıl sağlığıyla ve etrafında İngilizce ve Almanca konuşanlardan hariç başka doktorlar hakkında bilgi bulabilirsin!
هنا سوف تجد معلومات عن الصحة العقلية وعن الأطباء في منطقتك الذين يتحدثون لغات أخرى غير الإنجليزية أو الألمانية!
Здесь вы найдёте информацию о психическом здоровье и о врачах в вашем округе, которые говорят на других языках, кроме английского или немецкого!
Click here for other languagesCliquer ici pour d'autres langues
برای زبان های دیگر اینجا را کلیک کنید
لمزيد من اللغات اضغط هنا
Daha fazla dil için buraya tıklayın
Нажмите здесь для получения дополнительной информации о языках
Definitions
Trauma:
A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that can affect someone emotionally and physically. Experiences like natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods), acts of violence (such as assault, abuse, terrorist attacks, and mass shootings), as well as car crashes and other accidents can all be traumatic.
NIMH » Coping with Traumatic Events (nih.go
.
Definition
Symptoms
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental illness. It is the result of terrible experiences made by those affected. These can be disasters, experiences of violence, sexual abuse or a serious accident. Typical for this disease is that you do not let go of the experience and the burdensome memories always come back (flashbacks). PTSD can often affect the lives of those affected years after the trauma.
- reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
- bad dreams
- frightening thoughts
- Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the traumatic experience
- Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
- Feeling tense or “on edge”
- Having difficulty sleeping
Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisionsy
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) display excessive anxiety or worry, most days for at least 6 months, about a number of things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. The fear and anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life, such as social interactions, school, and work
- Feeling restless, wound-up, or on-edge
- Being easily fatigued
- Having difficulty concentrating; mind going blank
- Being irritable
- Having muscle tension
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
- Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder have recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their peak within minutes. Attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a feared object or situation.
- Heart palpitations, a pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heartrate
- Sweating, trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking
- Feelings of impending doom
- Feelings of being out of control
When terrible things happen, what you may experience
Immediate Reactions
There are a wide variety of positive and negative reactions that survivors can experience during and immediately after a disaster. These include:
Domain
Negative Responses
Positive Responses
Cognitive
Confusion, disorientation, worry, intrusive thoughts and images, self-blame
Determination and resolve, sharper perception, courage, optimism, faith
Emotional
Shock, sorrow, grief, sadness, fear, anger, numb, irritability, guilt and shame
Feeling involved, challenged, mobilized
Social
Extreme withdrawal, interpersonal conflict
Social connectedness, altruistic helping behaviors
Physiological
Fatigue, headache, muscle tension, stomachache, increased heart rate, exaggerated startle response, difficulties sleeping
Alertness, readiness to respond, increased energy
Common negative reactions that may continue include:
Intrusive reactions
- Distressing thoughts or images of the event while awake or dreaming
- Upsetting emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the experience
- Feeling like the experience is happening all over again (“flashback”)
Avoidance and withdrawal reactions
- Avoid talking, thinking, and having feelings about the traumatic event
- Avoid reminders of the event (places an people connected to what happened)
- Restricted emotions; feeling numb
- Feelings of detachment and estrangement from others; social withdrawal
- Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities
Physical arousal reactions
- Constantly being “on the lookout” for danger, startling easily, or being jumpy
- Irritability or outbursts of anger, feeling “on edge”
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep, problems concentrating or paying attention
Reactions to trauma and loss reminders
- Reactions to places, people, sights, sounds, smells, and feelings that are reminders of the disaster
- Reminders can bring on distressing mental images, thoughts, and emotional/physical reactions
- Common examples include: sudden loud noises, sirens, locations where the disaster occurred,
- seeing people with disabilities, funerals, anniversaries of the disaster, and television/radio news about the disaster
Positive changes in priorities, worldview, and expectations
- Enhanced appreciation that family and friends are precious and important
- Meeting the challenge of addressing difficulties (by taking positive action steps, changing the focus
- of thoughts, using humor, acceptance)
- Shifting expectations about what to expect from day to day and about what is considered a “good day”
- Shifting priorities to focus more on quality time with family and friends
- Increased commitment to self, family, friends, and spiritual/religious faith
When a loved one dies, common reactions include
- Feeling confused, numb, disbelief, bewildered, or lost
- Feeling angry at the person who died or at people considered responsible for the death
- Strong physical reactions such as nausea, fatigue, shakiness, and muscle weakness
- Feeling guilty for still being alive
- Intense emotions such as extreme sadness, anger, or fear
- Increased risk for physical illness and injury
- Decreased productivity or difficulties making decisions
- Having thoughts about the persons who died, even when you don’t want to
- Longing, missing, and wanting to search for the person who died
- Children and adolescents are particularly likely to worry that they or a parent might die
- Children and adolescents may become anxious when separated from caregivers or other loved ones
What helps
- Talking to another person for support or spending time with others
- Engaging in positive distracting activities (sports, hobbies, reading)
- Getting adequate rest and eating healthy meals
- Trying to maintain a normal schedule
- Scheduling pleasant activities
- Taking breaks
- Reminiscing about a loved one who has died
- Focusing on something practical that you can do right now to manage the situation better
- Using relaxations methods (breathing exercises, meditation, calming self-talk, soothing music)
- Participating in a support group
- Exercising in moderation • Keeping a journal
- Seeking counseling
What doesn’t help
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope
- Extreme avoidance of thinking or talking about the event or a death of a loved one
- Violence or conflict
- Overeating or failing to eat
- Excessive TV or computer games
- Blaming others
- Working too much
- Extreme withdrawal from family or friends
- Not taking care of yourself
- Doing risky things (driving recklessly, substance abuse, not taking adequate precautions)
- Withdrawing from pleasant activities
© Copyright: National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (http://www.nctsnet.org; http://www.ncptsd.va.gov). Taken from the manual "Psychological First Aid. Field operations guide. 2nd edition.”
Disclaimer: The following list includes GPs and psychotherapists speaking different languages in different German cities. They all gave their consent on being included on this website, however, we do not have independent verification for their qualification for working with queer refugees. Be careful when disclosing your sexual orientation or gender identity if you feel that doing so may put you at risk. If in doubt, please seek support at your local LGBTIQ* refugee organization.
Doctors speaking different languages
Citys
General Practitioners
Psychotherapists
Aachen
Turkish
Dipl. Psych. Berrak Kahraman-Lanzerath
Martinstr. 10-12
52062 Aachen
phone: 0241-47585451
Thu, Fri 7:40-8:30 am
Dr. med. Beraat Mersuh-Böcker
Lothringerstr. 62
52070 Aachen
phone: 0241-4465010
Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00 am
Mon, Tue, Thu 3:00-4:00 pm
Berlin
Turkish
Dipl. phil. Riza Kavasoglu
phone: 1062-2896526
Bremen
Turkish
Dr. med. Mehmet Atahan
Richtweg 19
28195 Bremen
phone: 0421 - 3378181 please call first:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 12:00-3:00 pm
and 5:00-6:00 pm
Bielefeld
Turkish
Dipl. Soz. Filiz Kutluer (Diversity Trainer)
Herberswerg 10
33617 Bielefeld
phone: 0521-1442874
Disability and migration, counselling No therapist but can transfer!
Düsseldorf
Russian
Herr, Dipl.-Psych. Pfau, Alexander Adersstr. 78
40215 Düsseldorf
phone: 0211-3857720
Tue - Fri. 1:00-1:30 pm
Essen
Turkish
Dipl. Psych. / Dipl. Soz. Päd. Zahide Yücel
Fulerumstr. 225
45149 Essen
phone: 0201-74931293
Mon and Wed: 12:00-12:50 am
Frankfurt am Main
Arabic
Dipl. Psych. M. Bülent Midyat
Im Trutz 51
60322 Frankfurt a.M.
phone:069-40035551 (+kurdish and aramaic)
Mon: 6:00 – 6.50 pm
Thu: 6:00 – 6.50 pm
Turkish
Dipl. Päd. Aysel Altun (Institution: IB, Beratungsstelle für AsylbewerberInnen)
An der Zingelswiese 21-24
65933 Frankfurt
phone: 069-38031216
Hamburg
Farsi
Herr, Dr. Rahrakhshan, Mohammad Wartenau 1
22089 Hamburg
phone: 040 41307797
Mon and Wed 12:00-12:30 am
Hannover
Turkish
Dr. Cemanur Demirezen
Ernst-August-Platz 6
30159 Hannover
phone: 0511 - 13344
Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00 am
Mon, Tue, Thu 3:00- 6:00 pm
Heidelberg
Russian
Dipl.-Psych. Julia Bergmann
Landfriedstr. 4
69117 Heidelberg
phone: 06221-7272288
Mon: 07:35-08:00 and 11:50-12:20am
Tue: 08:35-09:00 and 11:50-12:20am
Wed: 07:35-08:00 am Thu: 07:35-08:00 and 11:50-12:20 am
Fri: 07:35-08:00 am
Jena
Russian
Frau, Dr. Partschefeld, Elena
Weinbergstraße 195
07407 Uhlstädt
phone: 0152-37695960
Tue,Wed,Thu 1:00-2:00 pm
Köln
Turkish
Dipl. Psych. Deniz Baspinar
Riehler Str. 21
50668 Köln
phone:0221-1307432
Lübeck
Turkish and French
Dipl. Psych. Tülay Atac
Petersgrube 6
23552 Lübeck
phone: 0176-20749722
Mannheim
Turkish
Dr.med. Batuhan Parmakerli-Czemmel
G3 968159 Mannheim
0621 - 1565637
Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 am
Mon, Tue, Thu 2:30-5:00 pm
München
Arabic
Dr.med. Mona Scholz
Goethestraße 8
80336 München
phone: 089-18947770
Mon - Fri: 8:30-12:00 am
Mon, Thu: 2:00-6:00 pm
Tue: 2:00-7:00 pm
Turkish
Beratung der AWO München
Psychologischer Dienst
Goethestr. 53
80336 München
phone: 089-54424753
Mon - Fri: 11.00 – 12.00 am
Russian
Herr, Dipl-Psych. Brunner, Gerd H. Occamstr. 2
80802 München
phone: 089-342453
Mon-Thu, 8:10-12:00 am
2:00-6:00 pm
Nürnberg
Russian
Lina Frenkina
Sulzbacherstr. 41
90489 Nürnberg
phone: 01638026098
Mon, Tue, Thu 11:00-1:00 pm
2:00-4:00 pm
Dipl.-Psych. Olga Arneke Bahnhofplatz
890762 Fürth
phone: 09841-6824652
Mon-Fri: 07:00-12:00 am
Mon: 2:00-6:00 pm
Thu: 2:00-4:00 pm
Wuppertal
Russian
Frau, Dipl.-Psych. Grabovac, Irina Wall
342103 Wuppertal
phone: 0202 253 310 81
Tue, Wed, Fri, 1:00-3:00;
4:00-6:00 pm
Information for Health Professionals
Click here for English versionGeflüchtete haben ein hohes Risiko an einer mentalen Krankheit zu erkranken. Ein sogar noch höheres Risiko haben queere Geflüchtete. Es gibt verschiedenste Gründe hierfür, einer scheint die bestehende doppelte Minderheitslast für Menschen zu sein, die einer geschlechtsspezifischen und einer ethnischen Minderheit angehören und häufig einen prekären Flüchtlingsstatus haben. Daher sind spezielle Dienstleistungen erforderlich, um die Bedürfnisse von queeren Geflüchteten zu erfüllen, die über die bestehende standardisierte Unterstützung hinausgehen.
Ergebnisse unserer Literaturrecherche:
Im Zuge unseres Studienprojektes haben wir außerdem recherchiert, wie der Zugang zu mentaler Gesundheitsversorgung für queere Geflüchtete in Deutschland aussieht. Hier möchten wir Ihnen kurz unsere Ergebnisse da legen.
Verschiedene Studien zeigen, dass LGBTIQ*-Geflüchtete einem hohen Risiko ausgesetzt sind, psychische Probleme zu entwickeln. Studien untersuchen die Erfahrungen von LGBTIQ*-Geflüchtete mit doppelter Minderheitslast in der Zeit nach der Migration.
Die meisten Studien wurden mittels Fragebogen und Interviews mit queeren Geflüchteten-Communities durchgeführt. Es ist bekannt, dass den meisten Flüchtlingen die notwendige psychische Versorgung fehlt, was auf den Mangel an Dienstleistungen, fehlende oder falsche Informationen über psychische Versorgung, Sprachbarrieren, kulturelle Vorurteile und Stigmatisierung psychischer Krankheiten zurückzuführen ist. Die Teilnehmer äusserten ihre Angst vor Ablehnung, Diskriminierung und versuchen daher, ihre Identität zu verbergen, was sich negativ auf die psychische Gesundheit und das Wohlbefinden der Neuankömmlinge auswirkt.
Die Studien ergaben eine doppelte Minderheitslast für die queeren Geflüchteten in Deutschland: Sie müssen sich einerseits ähnlichen Herausforderungen stellen wie andere Geflüchtete, wie z. B. Asylverfahren, Überwindung der Sprachbarrieren, Integration in die neue Gesellschaft, Arbeit, Wohnung etc. Andererseits müssen sie sich auch der Diskriminierung und der Ablehnung durch ihre Mitgeflüchteten und die Menschen in ihrem unmittelbaren Aufnahmeland stellen. LGBTIQ*-Geflüchtete erfahren Berichten zufolge Homophobie und Rassismus, von Einzelpersonen und Institutionen.
Es ist von grosser Bedeutung, die bestehenden sensiblen Dienste für queere Geflüchtete zu ermitteln und zu prüfen wie zufriedenstellend die Verfügbarkeit ist. Die Autoren Gottlieb et al. schlagen vor, dass spezialisierte und angepasste Dienste in LGBTIQ*-Heimen dazu beitragen sollten, eine angemessene Gesundheitsversorgung für alle zu gewährleisten. Generell: 49% der Anträge auf psychotherapeutische Versorgung durch Asylbewerber werden abgelehnt. Die Psychosozialen Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer berichten von Wartezeiten von bis zu zwei Jahren und haben eine Ablehnungsquote von 40%.
Laut Gangarova (2019) haben queere Geflüchtete in Deutschland keinen gleichberechtigten Zugang zu Gesundheitssystem, Information, HIV-Testing und Behandlung. Darüber hinaus sind sie nicht an der HIV-Prävention beteiligt (Gangarova 2019). Dies zeigt, dass es in Deutschland insgesamt einen Mangel an Gesundheitsversorgung für LGBTIQ*-Flüchtlinge gibt, was die Dringlichkeit des Themas umso mehr zum Ausdruck bringt.
Es werden Empfehlungen für die sozialpolitische Berücksichtigung von queeren Geflüchteten gegeben, um ihre spezifischen Muster erfahrener Diskriminierung zu überwinden und ihre psychische Gesundheit zu verbessern. Geflüchtete mit einer LGBTIQ*-Persönlichkeit verbergen oft ihre Geschlechtsidentität oder sexuelle Orientierung im Aufnahmeland, weil sie oft von anderen Geflüchteten Gewalt erfahren. Daher ist es wichtig, einen sicheren Raum für sie zu schaffen. Die Mitarbeiter müssen mit ihnen kommunizieren, um ihr Vertrauen zu gewinnen und um ihre Bedürfnisse weiter zu ermitteln. Deshalb müssen den Geflüchteten Informationen zur Verfügung stehen, damit sie wissen, wo sie Hilfe erhalten können.
Einigen Akteuren mangelt es an Kenntnissen über die Bedürfnisse von LGBTIQ*-Geflüchteten. Daher sind Partnerschaften wichtig, um den Bedürfnissen der Flüchtlinge gerecht zu werden und das Bewusstsein zu schärfen. Dienstleister müssen Unterstützung erhalten, damit sie ihre Leistungen an die Bedürfnisse von queeren Geflüchteten anpassen können.
Die doppelte Minderheitslast, die von den Geflüchteten getragen wird, hat große Auswirkungen auf ihre psychische Gesundheit und ihr Wohlbefinden, daher das Bedürfnis nach Verfügbarkeit und Zugänglichkeit der erforderlichen psychischen Versorgung, die derzeit in Deutschland noch fehlt.
GuidelinesEnglish version:
Refugees are at a certain risk of experiencing mental health problems. At even higher risk are queer refugees. There are different reasons for that. One appears to be the existing double minority burden for people that belong to a gender minority and to an ethnic minority group, often with a precarious legal status as a refugee. Therefore, special services are required to meet the needs of queer reufgees, exeeding the existing standardized support.
Findings from our literature research:
In the course of our study project, we also researched what access to mental health care looks like for queer refugees in Germany. Here we would like to briefly present our results.
Different studies show LGBTIQ* refugees to be at a high risk of developing mental health problems; they are identified as potential vulnerable group with mental health burden, following their experiences of various kinds of discriminations, rejection, and violence, because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Studies explore LGBTIQ* refugees experiences of minority stress during post-migration.
Most of the studies were done by questionnaire and interviews with queer refugee communities. It is known that most refugees may lack needed mental health care as a result of scarcity of services, lack of information or wrong information about mental health care, language barriers, culture bias, and stigma against mental health disorders. Participants expressed their fear of rejection, discrimination and as a result, they try to hide their identity, which negatively affects the mental health and well-being of newly arrived refugees.
The studies identified a double minority burden for queer refugees in Germany; they on the one hand need to face similar challenges like other refugees, such as going through asylum process, breaking the language barriers, integration into the new society, getting a job, housing, etc. On the other hand, they also have to face the challenge of discrimination and unacceptance from fellow refugees and from people of their immediate host country. LGBTIQ* refugees reportedly experience homophobia and racism, from individuals and institutions.
It is from great importance to identify existing sensitive services for queer refugees and how satisfactory the availability is. The authors Gottlieb et al. suggest that specialized and adapted services in the LGBTIQ* shelter should help obtain adequate healthcare for everyone. In general: 49% of applications for psychotherapy coverage by asylum-seekers are rejected. The Psychosocial Centers for Refugees and Victims of Torture report waiting time is of up to two years and has a 40% rejection rate.
Gangarova (2019) states, evidence reveals that queer refugees in Germany don’t have equal access to the health system, information, HIV-Testing and treatment. Furthermore, they are not involved in HIV-Prevention (Gangarova 2019). This shows that there’s an overall lack of available health care services for LGBTIQ* refugees in Germany, which even more expresses the urgency of the topic addressed.
Recommendations are made for the need to consider queer refugees in social policies to overcome their specific patterns of experienced discrimination and improve their mental health. Refugees with a LGBTIQ* personality often hide their gender identity or sexual orientation in the host country because they often face abuse by other refugees. Therefore, it is important to create a safe space for them. The staff needs to communicate with them to gain their trust to further identify the needs. So, information needs to be available to refugees to gain knowledge about where they can reach out for assistance.
Some actors are lacking knowledge about the needs of LGBTIQ* refugees. Therefore, partnerships are important to meet the needs of the refugees and to increase the awareness. Service providers need to get assistance so that they can adjust their services to the needs of queer refugees.
The double minority burden carried by queer refugees has a great impact on their mental health and well-being, therefore the need for availability and accessibility of required mental healthcare services that are currently still lacking in Germany.
Guidelines
Here you can find guidelines from the Organisation for Refugee, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) on how to appropriately work with queer refugees.
The Women's Refugee Commission will also soon publish some guidelines. As soon as they are ready you can find them under:
https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/focus-areas/sexual-gender-based-violence/sexual-violence-against-men-and-boys/
The LSVD sub-organisation "queer refugees Germany" also offers trainings every quarter in cooperation with the BAfF on the topic of "Trauma and LGBTI refugees". Find them here:
https://www.queer-refugees.de You can also order further information material free of charge at:
https://www.queer-refugees.de/material/ Impressum und Datenschutz
Angaben gemäß § 5 TMG
Lea Waldi
Ortsstr. 2
69181 Leimen
E-Mail: leawaldi(at)aol.de
Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer gemäß § 27a UstG:
keine, da nicht profitorientiert
Haftung für Inhalte
Die Inhalte unserer Seite wurden mit größter Sorgfalt erstellt. Für die Richtigkeit, Vollständigkeit und Aktualität der Inhalte können wir jedoch keine Gewähr übernehmen. Als Diensteanbieter sind wir gemäß § 7 Abs.1 TMG für eigene Inhalte auf diesen Seiten nach den allgemeinen Gesetzen verantwortlich. Nach §§ 8 bis 10 TMG sind wir als Diensteanbieter jedoch nicht verpflichtet, übermittelte oder gespeicherte fremde Informationen zu überwachen oder nach Umständen zu forschen, die auf eine rechtswidrige Tätigkeit hinweisen. Verpflichtungen zur Entfernung oder Sperrung der Nutzung von Informationen nach den allgemeinen Gesetzen bleiben hiervon unberührt. Eine diesbezügliche Haftung ist jedoch erst ab dem Zeitpunkt der Kenntnis einer konkreten Rechtsverletzung möglich. Bei Bekanntwerden von entsprechenden Rechtsverletzungen werden wir diese Inhalte umgehend entfernen.
Haftung für Links
Unser Angebot enthält Links zu externen Webseiten Dritter, auf deren Inhalte wir keinen Einfluss haben. Deshalb können wir für diese fremden Inhalte auch keine Gewähr übernehmen. Für die Inhalte der verlinkten Seiten ist stets der jeweilige Anbieter oder Betreiber der Seiten verantwortlich. Die verlinkten Seiten wurden zum Zeitpunkt der Verlinkung auf mögliche Rechtsverstöße überprüft. Rechtswidrige Inhalte waren zum Zeitpunkt der Verlinkung nicht erkennbar. Eine permanente inhaltliche Kontrolle der verlinkten Seiten ist jedoch ohne konkrete Anhaltspunkte einer Rechtsverletzung nicht zumutbar. Bei Bekanntwerden von Rechtsverletzungen werden wir derartige Links umgehend entfernen.
Urheberrecht
Die durch die Seitenbetreiber erstellten Inhalte und Werke auf diesen Seiten unterliegen dem deutschen Urheberrecht. Die Vervielfältigung, Bearbeitung, Verbreitung und jede Art der Verwertung außerhalb der Grenzen des Urheberrechtes bedürfen der schriftlichen Zustimmung des jeweiligen Autors bzw. Erstellers. Downloads und Kopien dieser Seite sind nur für den privaten, nicht kommerziellen Gebrauch gestattet. Soweit die Inhalte auf dieser Seite nicht vom Betreiber erstellt wurden, werden die Urheberrechte Dritter beachtet. Insbesondere werden Inhalte Dritter als solche gekennzeichnet. Sollten Sie trotzdem auf eine Urheberrechtsverletzung aufmerksam werden, bitten wir um einen entsprechenden Hinweis. Bei Bekanntwerden von Rechtsverletzungen werden wir derartige Inhalte umgehend entfernen.
Datenschutz
Im Rahmen der neuen Europäischen Datenschutzbestimmungen, haben auch wir unsere Datenschutzrichtlinie mit Wirkung zum 25. Mai 2018 für Sie aktualisiert. Bitte informieren Sie sich hier: Datenschutzerklärung
Die Nutzung unserer Webseite ist in der Regel ohne Angabe personenbezogener Daten möglich. Soweit auf unseren Seiten personenbezogene Daten (beispielsweise Name, Anschrift oder E-Mail-Adressen) erhoben werden, erfolgt dies, soweit möglich, stets auf freiwilliger Basis. Diese Daten werden ohne Ihre ausdrückliche Zustimmung nicht an Dritte weitergegeben. Wir weisen darauf hin, dass die Datenübertragung im Internet (z.B. bei der Kommunikation per E-Mail) Sicherheitslücken aufweisen kann. Ein lückenloser Schutz der Daten vor dem Zugriff durch Dritte ist nicht möglich. Der Nutzung von im Rahmen der Impressumspflicht veröffentlichten Kontaktdaten durch Dritte zur Übersendung von nicht ausdrücklich angeforderter Werbung und Informationsmaterialien wird hiermit ausdrücklich widersprochen. Die Betreiber der Seiten behalten sich ausdrücklich rechtliche Schritte im Falle der unverlangten Zusendung von Werbeinformationen, etwa durch Spam-Mails, vor.
Redaktion
Verantwortlich für den Inhalt gemäß §10 Abs. 3 MDStV.: Lea Waldi, Anna Birnkammer, Katharina Bach, Comfort Balbach
Datenschutzerklärung
DSGVO (English version below)
Geltungsbereich
Diese Datenschutzerklärung soll die Nutzer dieser Website gemäß europäschischer Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO) über die Art, den Umfang und den Zweck der Erhebung und Verwendung personenbezogener Daten durch die Websitebetreiberin Lea Waldi informieren.
Die Websitebetreiberin nimmt Ihren Datenschutz sehr ernst und behandelt Ihre personenbezogenen Daten vertraulich und entsprechend der gesetzlichen Vorschriften.
Bedenken Sie, dass die Datenübertragung im Internet grundsätzlich mit Sicherheitslücken bedacht sein kann. Ein vollumfänglicher Schutz vor dem Zugriff durch Fremde ist nicht realisierbar.
Umgang mit personenbezogenen Daten
Die Websitebetreiberin erhebt, nutzt und gibt Ihre personenbezogenen Daten nur dann weiter, wenn dies im gesetzlichen Rahmen erlaubt ist oder Sie in die Datenerhebung einwilligen.
Als personenbezogene Daten gelten sämtliche Informationen, welche dazu dienen, Ihre Person zu bestimmen und welche zu Ihnen zurückverfolgt werden können – also beispielsweise Ihr Name, Ihre E-Mail-Adresse und Telefonnummer.
Umgang mit Kontaktdaten
Nehmen Sie mit deer Websitebetreiberin durch die angebotenen Kontaktmöglichkeiten Verbindung auf, werden Ihre Angaben für einen Zeitraum von sechs Monaten gespeichert, damit auf diese zur Bearbeitung und Beantwortung Ihrer Anfrage und für den Fall von Anschlussfragen zurückgegriffen werden kann. Ohne Ihre Einwilligung werden diese Daten nicht an Dritte weitergegeben.
Scope
This privacy policy is intended to inform the users of this website in accordance with the European Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO) about the nature, scope and purpose of the collection and use of personal data by the website operator Lea Waldi. The website operator takes your privacy very seriously and treats your personal data confidentially and in accordance with the statutory provisions. Please bear in mind that data transmission on the Internet can always be subject to security vulnerabilities. Complete protection against access by third parties is not possible.
Handling of personal data
The website operator collects, uses and passes on your personal data only if this is permitted by law or if you consent to the data collection. Personal data means any information that is used to identify you and which can be traced back to you – for example, your name, e-mail address and telephone number.
Handling of contact data
If you contact the website operator through the contact options offered, your details will be stored for a period of six months so that they can be used to process and answer your enquiry and in the event of follow-up questions. This data will not be passed on to third parties without your consent.
Last updated: 08.02.2021