scholarly journals The Mental Health of Refugee Children in Canada

Refuge ◽  
1996 ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilene Hyman ◽  
Morton Beiser ◽  
Nhi Vu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Resources ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Refugee Youth ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Successful Adaptation

This paper reviews the literature on sources of stress, and the personal and social resources refugee youth use to cope with adversity. Preliminary findings from the Clarke Institute/University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry Southeast Asian (SEA) Refugee Youth Project, a study of the mental health and adaptation of SEA youth to Canada, are used to supplement findings from the literature. The review highlights research needs as well as possibilities for programs that could help promote the successful adaptation of refugee youth in Canada.

scholarly journals A socio-ecological analysis of risk, protective and promotive factors for the mental health of Burundian refugee children living in refugee camps

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Scharpf ◽  
Getrude Mkinga ◽  
Faustine Bwire Masath ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Externalizing Problems ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Refugee Youth ◽  
Promotive Factors

Abstract Children and adolescents’ mental health risk and resilience arise from a complex interplay of factors on several socio-ecological levels. However, little is known about the factors that shape the mental health of refugee youth living in refugee camps close to ongoing conflict. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a representative sample of 217 Burundian refugee children aged 7–15 and their mothers residing in refugee camps in Tanzania to investigate associations between risk, protective and promotive factors from various ecological levels (individual, microsystem, exosystem), and children’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, internalizing and externalizing problems, and prosocial behavior. Data were collected using structured clinical interviews and analyzed using multiple regression models. Exposure to violence across all contexts and engagement coping were risk factors for PTSD symptoms and internalizing problems, while only violence by mothers seemed to increase children’s vulnerability for externalizing problems. A differential impact of violence exposures on prosocial behavior was observed. Higher-quality friendships appeared to protect youth from PTSD symptoms and externalizing problems, while they also promoted children’s prosocial behavior, just as mothers’ social support networks. Prevention and intervention approaches should integrate risk, protective and promotive factors for refugee youth’s mental health across multiple ecological contexts and take into account context-specific and adaptive responses to war and displacement.

Immigrant and Refugee Children in Canada

1995 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morton Beiser ◽  
Rene Dion ◽  
Andrew Gotowiec ◽  
Ilene Hyman ◽  
Nhi Vu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Adaptation ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee

In view of Canada's commitment to immigration, understanding the sources of successful adaptation by immigrant and refugee children is vital. This paper reviews the literature on the mental health of migrant children and suggests an agenda for future research.

scholarly journals Mental Health of Refugee Children and Youth: Epidemiology, Interventions, and Future Directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-176
Author(s):  
Rochelle L. Frounfelker ◽  
Diana Miconi ◽  
Jordan Farrar ◽  
Mohamad Adam Brooks ◽  
Cécile Rousseau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Refugee Youth ◽  
Refugee Child ◽  
Constructive Dialogue ◽  
Child Psychiatric ◽  
Child Psychiatric Epidemiology

The number of refugee youth worldwide receives international attention and is a top priority in both academic and political agendas. This article adopts a critical eye in summarizing current epidemiological knowledge of refugee youth mental health as well as interventions aimed to prevent or reduce mental health problems among children and adolescents in both high- and low-to-middle-income countries. We highlight current challenges and limitations of extant literature and present potential opportunities and recommendations in refugee child psychiatric epidemiology and mental health services research for moving forward. In light of the mounting xenophobic sentiments we are presently witnessing across societies, we argue that, as a first step, all epidemiological and intervention research should advocate for social justice to guarantee the safety of and respect for the basic human rights of all refugee populations during their journey and resettlement. A constructive dialogue between scholars and policy makers is warranted.

scholarly journals Refugee Youth and Mental Health: Principles for Resettlement Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 68-79
Author(s):  
Emily Pelley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Resources ◽  
Refugee Youth ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Transition Experience ◽  
International Attention ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

The issue of young people on the move has attracted significant international attention as the amount of displacement due to armed conflict has steadily increased in recent years. The UNHCR reports that 68.5 million people have been displaced worldwide, with just over half of them being under the age of 18.1 Armed conflict often forces families to flee their homes and communities in search of safety. For those who can go to a new country there are both benefits and challenges to navigate. The experiences of youth displacement because of armed conflict is an area that needs further research.This paper explores the current situation of youth displacement and the importance of informed mental health support throughout their transition experience in a new country. A young person’s resilience through the experience of integrating into a new home is not merely a description of their personality but a combination of the personal and social resources that can positively impact their well-being. This social ecological perspective of resilience is a useful framework for responding to the needs of young refugees.

63. Developing a program for resident wellness at the postgraduate medical education office, University of Torontos

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Edwards ◽  
S. Verma ◽  
R. Zulla
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Stress Management ◽  
Residency Training ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Postgraduate Medical Education ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Resident Wellness ◽  
The University

Prevalence of stress-related mental health problems in residents is equal to, or greater than, the general population. Medical training has been identified as the most significant negative influence on resident mental health. At the same time, residents possess inadequate stress management and general wellness skills and poor help-seeking behaviours. Unique barriers prevent residents from self-identifying and seeking assistance. Stress management programs in medical education have been shown to decrease subjective distress and increase wellness and coping skills. The University of Toronto operates the largest postgraduate medical training program in the country. The Director of Resident Wellness position was created in the Postgraduate Medical Education Office to develop a systemic approach to resident wellness that facilitates early detection and intervention of significant stress related problems and promote professionalism. Phase One of this new initiative has been to highlight its presence to residents and program directors by speaking to resident wellness issues at educational events. Resources on stress management, professional services, mental health, and financial management have been identified and posted on the postgraduate medical education website and circulated to program directors. Partnerships have been established with physician health professionals, the University of Toronto, and the Professional Association of Residents and Internes of Ontario. Research opportunities for determining prevalence and effective management strategies for stress related problems are being identified and ultimately programs/resources will be implemented to ensure that resident have readily accessible resources. The establishment of a Resident Wellness Strategy from its embryonic stags and the challenges faced are presented as a template for implementing similar programs at other medical schools. Earle L, Kelly L. Coping Strategies, Depression and Anxiety among Ontario Family Medicine Residents. Canadian Family Physician 2005; 51:242-3. Cohen J, Patten S. Well-being in residency training: a survey examining resident physician satisfaction both within and outside of residency training and mental health in Alberta. BMC Medical Education; 5(21). Levey RE. Sources of stress for residents and recommendations for programs to assist them. Academic Med 2001; 70(2):142-150.

Refugee Children and Interventions for Depression: A Review of Current Interventions and Implications of the Ecological Context

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802097984
Author(s):  
Tori S. Simenec ◽  
Brie M. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Retention Rate ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Ecological Framework ◽  
Ecological Context ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Empirical Methods ◽  
Refugee Youth ◽  
Culturally Informed ◽  
Multiple Contexts ◽  
Displaced Children

As of 2018, over 25.4 million people worldwide meet the criteria to be considered refugees, the highest number on record. Over half of these individuals are under 18 years old, leaving approximately 12 million children to cope with the trauma and stress typically encountered by refugees. Increased rates of depression in this population are well-documented in the literature. This article reviews the ecological determinants of depression for displaced children and current empirical methods for alleviating depression across contexts. PubMed and PsycINFO databases were reviewed for articles that met the following criteria for inclusion: published between January 1, 2000, and April 16, 2020; peer-reviewed empirical article; in English; reviewed an intervention targeting depression; and included a sample of refugees 18 years of age or younger. Sixteen interventions met inclusion criteria and were assessed using an ecological framework. The programs were analyzed for several methodological and outcome factors including intervention type, retention rate, participant demographics, participant country of origin and host country, ecological framework, and effectiveness. Major findings suggest that interventions including caregivers, involving the child’s community, addressing multiple contexts, and that are culturally informed may improve outcomes. This article presents research surrounding risk and protective factors for depression within each context to inform existing interventions and presents additional avenues for services to meet the needs of refugee youth across contexts.

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