Unlike immigrants, refugees do not plan their move ahead of time. Their flight to Canada is generally marked by trauma, stress and sadness. Their physical move to a new country may not be accompanied with emotional and psychological acceptance of this move. When this situation is coupled with racial and gender stereotyping of refugees and resultant discriminatory behaviours by Canadians, the process of settlement and adjustment becomes doubly difficult. (Segal and Mayadas, 2005, p. 16)

Disintegration of typical social structures, routines, social controls, expectations Uncertainty, fear Extreme sensory inputs (either deprivation or overwhelm) Loss and loneliness, boredom, no hope for the future

What have refugee families experienced? Many refugees, especially children, have experienced events related to war or persecution that may affect their mental and physical health long after the events have occurred. While in their countries of origin, refugee children may have experienced: Violence (as witnesses, victims, and perpetrators) War Lack of food, water, and shelter Physical injuries, infections, and diseases Torture Forced labor Sexual assault Lack of medical care Loss of loved ones

Cultures, groups, agencies, norms and values, communities Establishment, basic needs, “roots”, connections Knowledge and skill development

While refugee families, children and adolescents often display a tremendous amount of resilience despite their experiences, their resilience can be enhanced by these protective factors: Strong cultural identity Strong religious beliefs Strong family relationships Strong peer relationships Positive relationship with a caring adult Positive school experiences School connectedness Social support Participation in physical activities or sports Good self-esteem Adaptive coping skills Access to medical or mental health care Access to activities and community programs