Bridging the gap: Educational cultural brokers supporting the mental health of refugee youth

• Author / Creator

  Brar, Novjyot

• Refugee youth are identified as a high risk group due to the likelihood of exposure to trauma (UNICEF, 1996) and frequent reports of anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)(Ellis, MacDonald, Lincoln, & Cabral, 2008). However they tend to underutilize mental health services(Fenta, Hyman, & Noh, 2006). This study explored the ways in which educational cultural brokers support the psychological well-being of refugee youth. Using a qualitative case study (Merriam, 2009), four cultural brokers and three mental health practitioners were interviewed and data was analyzed thematically. Two broad themes were identified encompassing informal supports and formal supports. Sub-themes that represented informal supports were: (1) Facilitating cultural integration and sense of belonging, (2) Bridging to settlement services, and (3) Providing supportive counselling. Sub-themes describing formal supports were: (1) Facilitating referrals, (2) Educating, (3) Providing contextual information, and (4) Providing cultural interpretation. The practice implications of this research are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Counselling
  • refugee
  • cultural broker

• Graduation date

  Fall 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Education

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3RX2R

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.