Suicidality among Immigrants: A Qualitative Profile of Studies on Experiences of Immigrants in Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America

Nasar Khan; Mehwish  Zeeshan; Zakir  Hussain; Zoya  Khan

doi:10.56508/mhgcj.v8i1.308

Authors

Nasar Khan University of Buner, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2452-184X
Mehwish Zeeshan PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2484-2088
Zakir Hussain University of Malakand, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0904-5704
Zoya Khan University of Buner, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1004-5109

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56508/mhgcj.v8i1.308

Keywords:

Mental Health, Suicidality, immigration, Experiences, Protective Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Migration is a hallmark feature of globalization. Migration is a global phenomenon; thereby, mental health of individuals must also be considered from the viewpoint of broader indicators such as migration. Migration, mental health and suicidality are connected in a unique pattern in the globalized world.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand patterns of suicidality among immigrants by considering their experiences in Canada, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Methodology: This study is a multicounty thematic review. Databases including Sociological Abstracts, CINAHIL and EBSCO host, Medline and EMBASE were searched to identify studies through keyword search. Braun and Clark (2019) thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 5 major themes were extracted which also included sub-themes. There is evidence of prevalence of higher suicidality among immigrants. Suicidal behavior and specific countries of origin are considerable regarding suicidality. Key contributors to suicidality among immigrants in Canada, UK and the USA include language barriers, worrying about family back home, separation from family, assimilation and acculturation and homelessness. Social support and protective factors can be effectively used with understanding and realization of the issue.

Conclusion: Immigrants in Canada, UK and the USA are more vulnerable to suicidality as compared to other segments of population. Mental health is the major culprit whereby social, economic and cultural factors make immigrants vulnerable to suicidality

References

Aran, N., Card, K.G., Lee, K. et al. (2023). Patterns of Suicide and Suicidal Ideation in Relation to Social Isolation and Loneliness in Newcomer Populations: A Review. J Immigrant Minority Health, 25, 415–426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01422-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01422-9

BBC News. (2025, July 18). How many people come to work and study in the UK? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89pvd58nd3o

Borges, G., Orozco, R., Rafful, C., Miller, E., & Breslau, J. (2012). Suicidality, ethnicity and immigration in the USA. Psychological medicine, 42(6), 1175–1184. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711002340 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711002340

Bursztein Lipsicas, C., & Henrik Mäkinen, I. (2010). Immigration and suicidality in the young. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 55(5), 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371005500502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371005500502

Citizenship Resource Center, 2025. Naturalization Statistics. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/naturalization-statistics.

Eylem, O., van Straten, A., de Wit, L., Rathod, S., Bhui, K., & Kerkhof, A. J. F. M. (2021). Reducing suicidal ideation among Turkish migrants in the Netherlands and in the UK: the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of a guided online intervention. Pilot and feasibility studies, 7(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00772-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00772-9

Eynan, R, Langaley, J., Tolomiczen, G., Rhodes, A. E., and Goering, P. (2002) The association between homelessness and suicidal ideation and behaviors: Results of a cross-sectional survey. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 32(4), 418-427. doi: 10.1521/suli.32.4.418.22341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/suli.32.4.418.22341

Forte, A., Trobia, F., Gualtieri, F., Lamis, D. A., Cardamone, G., Giallonardo, V., Fiorillo, A., Girardi, P., & Pompili, M. (2018). Suicide Risk among Immigrants and Ethnic Minorities: A Literature Overview. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(7), 1438. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071438 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071438

Government of Canada. (2025). Canada’s immigration level. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html.

Haase, E., Schönfelder, A., Nesterko, Y. et al. (2022). Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among refugees: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 22, 635. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13029-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13029-8

Hansson, E. K., Tuck, A., Lurie, S., & McKenzie, K. (2012). Rates of mental illness and suicidality in immigrant, refugee, ethnocultural, and racialized groups in Canada: a review of the literature. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 57(2), 111–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700208 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700208

Katsampa, D., Curry, C., Weldon, E., Ghezai, H., Nyikavaranda, P., Stamatopoulou, V., & Chapman, D. (2025). Family Against the Odds: The Psychological Impact of Family Separation on Refugee Men Living in the United Kingdom. Social Sciences, 14(3), 159. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14030159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14030159

Khan, N., Hussain, N., Naz, A. (2024). Homelessness and suicidality: How do new emigrants confront the dilemma? Evidence from existing research conducted in Canada. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 15 (4), 91-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22359/cswhi_15_4_11

Kim M. J. (2021). Acculturation, social support and suicidal ideation among Asian immigrants in the United States. SSM - population health, 14, 100778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100778 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100778

Macionis, J. J. (2014). Sociology, Pearson Publications, USA.

Özen-Dursun, B., Kaptan, S. K., Giles, S., Husain, N., & Panagioti, M. (2023). Understanding self-harm and suicidal behaviours in South Asian communities in the UK: systematic review and meta-synthesis. BJPsych open, 9(3), e82. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.63 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.63

Ratkowska, K. and De Leo, D. (2013). Suicide in Immigrants: An Overview. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 2, 124-133. doi: 10.4236/ojmp.2013.23019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmp.2013.23019

Saunders, N. R., Chiu, M., Lebenbaum, M., Chen, S., Kurdyak, P., Guttmann, A., & Vigod, S. (2019). Suicide and Self-Harm in Recent Immigrants in Ontario, Canada: A Population-Based Study. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 64(11), 777–788. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719856851 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743719856851

Spataro, G., Ventriglio, A., Signorelli, M. S., & Marrazzo, G. (2024). Suicide among migrants: a comprehensive narrative review of literature. International Review of Psychiatry, 36(4–5), 413–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2024.2327389 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2024.2327389

Tham, S. G., Hunt, I. M., Turnbull, P., Appleby, L., Kapur, N., & Knipe, D. (2023). Suicide among psychiatric patients who migrated to the UK: a national clinical survey. EClinical Medicine, 57, 101859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101859 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101859