Mental health of migrants in South Asia: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose Migration in South Asia is shaped by diverse drivers such as economic needs, conflict, persecution, natural disasters and sociocultural factors. Migrants across typologies are vulnerable to mental health challenges. However, research in this domain remains fragmented. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing literature on migrant mental health in South Asia and map key trends, identify research gaps and draw implications for future research, policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted across databases including Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Studies using both qualitative and quantitative methods were included. Data extraction and thematic synthesis was conducted to analyse study characteristics, research methodologies, mental health outcomes and associated risk and protective factors. Findings Eighty studies met the inclusion criteria, with nearly half published since 2020. Most were cross-sectional and concentrated in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Commonly studied mental health issues included depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder – particularly among refugees, internally displaced persons and labour migrants. Risk factors included violence and trauma, economic hardship, social isolation and perceived discrimination; while protective factors such as family support, cultural practices and community resilience were highlighted, though resilience was often conceptualised narrowly as an individual trait. Research on queer and transgender migrants, children, older adults and help-seeking behaviours was notably absent. Originality/value This review underscores that while the burden of poor mental health among migrants in South Asia is significant, research priorities vary based on the migrant typology. Significant research gaps persist, including limited longitudinal studies and participatory research methods. Pathways to migrant mental health and wellbeing and intersectional analyses of mental health precarity are also unexplored. Future work should consider dimensions of precarity among migrants in the region to better understand mental health vulnerabilities.