Research funding from Forte for peer support among forced migrants
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The Funder Forte has awarded 7.5 million SEK for a research project focusing on support for forced migrants with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions (herein referred to as LGBTQ+). LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or other non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities.
The project is part of the larger research programme A safer future
Support to address mental health and wellbeing
The research project focuses on a population of forced migrants that experience intersectional disadvantages and health-related burdens when resettling in the host country. It builds on previous international research as well as ongoing research that the team is conducting. The research team identified a significant need to develop and evaluate peer support to alleviate the health burdens experienced among migrants. In 2023, the researchers engaged with forced migrants with lived experience to plan the project that has now been granted funding. Through discussions in workshops, several problems in society and the potential benefits of peer support were consistently highlighted.
- We are thrilled to have received this support from Forte to carry out this crucial research. By involving forced migrants as partners in the research process, we aim to create a peer support intervention that truly meets their needs and preferences, says Maria Gottvall who is a midwife and researcher.
Led by researchers and research assistants with lived experience as an asylum seeker, the workshops involved a range of activities to plan future research. A board of public contributors was formed, and board members engaged in mutual discussions about prioritized areas for research in the field of applied welfare sciences.
- Being part of the workshops leading up to this grant was a great experience, as I got the opportunity to meet researchers and likeminded peers. We all shared our experiences and perspectives, and it was wonderful to feel like you belong together. The peer support intervention holds potential to let people meet friends in a safe space who validate, affirm, and see you as you are, says one of the migrants who took part in the workshops.
Four years of development and evaluation together with public contributors and stakeholders
The project will be conducted over four years, spanning from development of the intervention to studies evaluating the support intervention. Throughout the project, researchers will engage in close collaboration with forced migrants who have lived experience. These representatives will help develop the intervention and ensure that it corresponds to the needs within the population. A collaboration has also been initiated with the Center for Civic Orientation to reach migrants in need of support.
- This is a great opportunity to make a real difference for forced migrants and evaluate a structured peer support model that could have valuable impact in society. We really look forward to collaborating with public contributors and other stakeholders to make this project as successful as possible. As a team, we are truly thankful for the opportunity to work on research that aims to improve the health of disadvantaged populations in society, says Tommy Carlsson who is an associate professor and the principal investigator.
