Addressing Syrian refugee adolescents' mental health and wellbeing: Youth-informed policy implications

Auteurs-es

  • Talia Filler McMaster University

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.25071/1929-8471.34

Mots-clés :

Refugee Adolescent, Youth, Mental Health, Policy, Syria

Résumé

Due to the conflict in Syria, Canada has welcomed over 40,000 Syrian refugees since 2015. Of those, approximately 52% were under the age of 19, falling into the adolescent age group. Adolescence is critical stage for social, psychological and biological development. As a result, many mental health challenges first emerge during this stage. Given the recent resettlement of Syrian refugees to Canada, it is essential that their mental health is appropriately addressed. This research examined potential policy changes that would help support the mental health and wellbeing of Syrian refugee adolescents given their conceptualizations of mental health. Data was collected from January to March 2018 using semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugee adolescents (n=7) and service providers (n=8) in the Greater Toronto Area. Data analysis was guided by grounded theory. The findings recommend youth-informed strategies for policy makers, service providers and researchers on how to effectively address Syrian adolescents’ mental health.

Références

Access Alliance. (2017). Refugee health and resettlement: Lessons learned from the Syrian response. Retrieved from: http://accessalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SyrianResettlement_ResearchHighlightsReport_2017.pdf

Alderman, E. M., Freeman, K. L., & Lobach, K. S. (2017). Improving adolescent access and services in a large primary care network: Report of a 10 year project. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 0(0).

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2016-0163 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2016-0163

Canadian Mental Health Association. (2018). Child and youth - Access to mental health promotion and mental health care. Retrieved April 28, 2018, from https://cmha.ca/documents/child-youth-access-mental-health-promotion-mental-health-care https://doi.org/10.1002/mhw.31535 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mhw.31535

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2017a). #WelcomeRefugees: Canada resettled Syrian refugees. Retrieved from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/index.asp

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2017b). #WelcomeRefugees: Key figures. Retrieved from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/milestones.asp

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2017c). Map of destination communities and service provider organizations. Retrieved from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/welcome/map.asp

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2017d). Supporting Syrian refugees: Open intake process for new Resettlement Assistance Program Centres. Retrieved November 23, 2017, from: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/grants-contributions-funding/sy-guidelines.asp

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2018a). Canada: A history of refuge. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/canada-role/timeline.html

Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2018b). Sponsor a refugee. Retrieved March 1, 2018, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/help-outside-canada/private-sponsorship-program.html

Dutton, D. J., Forest, P. G., Kneebone, R. D., & Zwicker, J. D. (2018). Effect of provincial spending on social services and health care on health outcomes in Canada: An observational longitudinal study. Cmaj, 190(3), E66-E71. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.170132 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.170132

Fan, W., & Williams, C. M. (2010). The effects of parental involvement on students' academic self-efficacy, engagement and intrinsic motivation. Educational Psychology, 30(1), 53-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410903353302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410903353302

Fazel, M., Reed, R. V., Panter-Brick, C., & Stein, A. (2012). Mental health of displaced and refugee children resettled in high-income countries: Risk and protective factors. The Lancet, 379(9812), 266-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60051-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60051-2

Hill, N. E., & Taylor, L. C. (2004). Parental and children's involvement academic achievement pragmatics and issues. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 13(4), 161-164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00298.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00298.x

Lifeline Syria. (2015). Population profile: Syrian refugees. Retrieved from: http://lifelinesyria.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EN-Syrian-Population-Profile.pdf

Sturdy, S., Smith-Merry, J., & Freeman, R. (2012). Stakeholder consultation as social mobilization: Framing Scottish mental health policy. Social Policy and Administration, 46, 823-844. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2012.00848.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2012.00848.x

World Health Organization. (2004). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence, practice (summary report). Geneva. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/

Téléchargements

Comment citer

Filler, T. (2018). Addressing Syrian refugee adolescents’ mental health and wellbeing: Youth-informed policy implications. INYI Journal, 9(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.25071/1929-8471.34

Numéro

Rubrique

Articles

Catégories