[Understanding and dealing with mental health problems of migrant children]

UNDERSTANDING AND DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF MIGRANT CHILDREN The prevalence of certain psychological disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression) is higher among migrant children. High stress levels and vulnerability factors before, during and after mi¬gration play an important role in the development of these disorders. The clinical expression of psychological suffering is usually functio¬nal before the age of 6. For children over the age of 6, psychological symptoms have an impact on schooling and social interaction. The school must rely on the child's resources and absolutely avoid in¬validating the achievements of the cultural environment to which the child belongs. Access to care must be facilitated with careful management, avoiding disruption and taking into account the different ways of dealing with suffering. When necessary, the inter-vention of an interpreter or a cultural mediator should be encou¬raged in exchanges with the young person and his/her family.