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Creative expression workshops in school: prevention programs for immigrant and refugee children
Cécile Rousseau1, Louise Lacroix, Abha Singh
1Child Transcultural Psychiatry Team, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal Quebec.
Summary
Creative expression workshops in schools help immigrant and refugee children adapt to new environments by providing a safe space for emotional processing and cultural integration. These programs address challenges faced by children during resettlement.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Immigrant and refugee families often underutilize mental health services.
- Schools are uniquely positioned to implement preventative mental health programs for children.
- Children face unique challenges adapting to new environments and cultures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of creative expression workshops for immigrant and refugee children.
- To explore how schools can support the mental health and adaptation of newcomer children.
- To bridge the cultural gap and facilitate adjustment for children from diverse backgrounds.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of creative expression workshops in partnership with schools.
- Targeting kindergarten, elementary, and high school students.
- Utilizing a transcultural psychiatry team approach.
Main Results:
- Workshops created a safe environment for children's self-expression.
- The programs acknowledged and valued students' diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Activities facilitated continuity between past and present experiences, and fostered resilience.
Conclusions:
- Intersectoral programs are essential for addressing the needs of refugee and immigrant children.
- Programs should aim to reduce social exclusion and enhance children's sense of agency.
- Creative expression offers a viable pathway for supporting newcomer children's mental well-being and integration.
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