Author(s)

Danielle Thompson, Morgane Vincent, Shilpa Hanumantha Lacy, Adebowale Ogunjirin

Gallaudet University, Washington DC, USA.

This literature review explores the mental health needs of deaf refugees, a group disproportionately affected by trauma, displacement, and systemic exclusion. While refugees commonly experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, deaf refugees face added challenges related to communication barriers, cultural and linguistic isolation, and inadequate access to appropriate care. Guided by ecological systems theory, the acculturative stress model, trauma-informed care, and intersectionality theory, the review highlights how overlapping identities intensify vulnerabilities while shaping unique mental health outcomes. Findings reveal critical research gaps and limit culturally competent interventions tailored to this population. The review recommends integrated, trauma-informed, and linguistically accessible care models, greater advocacy and policy reform, and expanded community engagement. It also calls for future research that adopts strengths-based, participatory approaches to improve understanding and promote resilience. Addressing these needs is essential to ensuring equitable access to mental health services and supporting the wellbeing of deaf refugees.

Deaf Refugees, Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care, Intersectionality, Cultural Competence, Refugee Resettlement

Thompson, D. , Vincent, M. , Hanumantha Lacy, S. and Ogunjirin, A. (2025) Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Deaf Refugees: A Comprehensive Literature Review. <i>Psychology</i>, <b>16</b>, 1397-1410. doi: <a href='https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2025.1611080' target='_blank' onclick='SetNum(147510)'>10.4236/psych.2025.1611080</a>.