Providing Psychological Services to Immigrant Children

Challenges and Potential Solutions

Abstract

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Canada is a diverse and multicultural country. More than one fifth of Canadians are foreign-born individuals from over 200 countries (Statistics Canada, 2017a). Whereas diversity and official multiculturalism makes Canada attractive for immigrants, the newcomers nonetheless face challenges in the areas of settlement, employment, and access to mental health services. These challenges are particularly acute for immigrant children. This article describes four major challenges related to the provision of psychological services to immigrant children and suggests potential solutions for each of these four challenges. The article concludes with the suggestion of a multilevel approach to address these challenges, and the collaborative inclusion of relevant stakeholders.