Young and New to Canada: Promoting the Mental Wellbeing of Immigrant and Refugee Female Youth

Abstract

Each year newcomers enter Canada as their destination country of resettlement. Among these, female immigrant and refugee children and youth comprise a significant portion of newcomers. For example, in 2002 over 36% of female immigrants to Canada were children and youth between 0 and 24 years of age (Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2003). Among refugees this proportion increases. During the same year, close to 48% of female refugees to Canada were children and youth (Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2003). The significant size of female immigrant and refugee youth demands research, practice, and policy that specifically address this sub-group of newcomers. While youth bring many resiliences and positive hopes for their future in their new country of residence, they, along with their families, can face significant resettlement barriers within the first few years of their arrival. Newcomer female youth can be immigrants or refugees. However, it is important to distinguish between the two groups of youth as they differ significantly in their premigration experiences, which can affect their post-migration mental health needs. For example both groups face, and often over time accommodate to, changes inherent to migrating from one place to another (such as changes in family structure, social networks, cultural, and economic circumstances). However, refugee youths’ pre-migration experiInt J Ment Health Addiction (2008) 6:514–516 DOI 10.1007/s11469-007-9071-y