Psychosocial Support: Helping Refugee Children Cope and Heal

A Vision for Emotional Healing and Resilience

Our vision is to create a supportive environment where every refugee child can experience emotional healing, build resilience, and achieve a sense of well-being. We believe that mental health is a crucial aspect of a child's overall development and success.

Through our psychosocial support programs, we aim to empower refugee children to overcome the challenges of displacement and build positive relationships within their new communities. By addressing their emotional and social needs, we contribute to their holistic development and the creation of a more inclusive society.

How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Psychosocial Support Programs

RefPIC's psychosocial support programs adopt a holistic approach, combining counseling, recreational activities, and peer support to create a nurturing environment for refugee children. Our programs are designed in collaboration with mental health professionals, educators, and community organizations to ensure that children receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique experiences and needs.

Key components of our Psychosocial Support Programs include:

• Counseling Services: We provide individual and group counseling to help refugee children process their experiences, manage stress, and develop coping strategies. Our trained mental health professionals offer a safe space for children to express their feelings and work through trauma.

  
  

• Support Groups: Peer support groups offer refugee children a sense of community and belonging. These groups provide a platform for children to share their experiences, support each other, and build meaningful connections.

  
  

• Art Therapy: Art therapy sessions enable children to express their emotions through creative activities like drawing, painting, and crafts. These sessions promote emotional healing and provide an outlet for children to explore their feelings in a non-verbal manner.

  
  

• Recreational Activities: Sports programs, games, and recreational activities help children develop social skills, relieve stress, and build resilience. These activities foster a sense of normalcy and provide opportunities for children to experience joy and connection.

  
  

• Family Involvement: We engage families in the psychosocial support process, offering guidance and resources to help caregivers support their children's emotional well-being and create a supportive home environment.

  
  

Why Psychosocial Support Initiatives Matter

Refugee children often face significant psychological and social challenges due to the trauma of displacement, loss, and adaptation to new environments. Without adequate psychosocial support, these children may experience long-term mental health issues, hindering their ability to learn, form relationships, and integrate into their new communities. Psychosocial support initiatives are essential in helping refugee children cope with their experiences, build resilience, and foster a sense of security and belonging.

At RefPIC, we understand that mental health and emotional well-being are integral to a child's overall development. Our programs create a nurturing environment where children can access the support they need to heal, grow, and thrive. By promoting mental health and well-being, we help refugee children build the confidence and resilience necessary to face challenges and embrace new opportunities.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Psychosocial Support Initiatives

As we expand our psychosocial support programs, RefPIC is committed to reaching more refugee children who face emotional and social challenges due to displacement. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support that addresses both immediate mental health needs and long-term emotional development.

By aligning our efforts with our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—we ensure that our psychosocial programs contribute to sustainable well-being, resilience, and social cohesion.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our primary goals in providing psychosocial support for refugee children include:

• Emotional Healing: Provide a safe space for refugee children to process their experiences, express their emotions, and work through trauma.

  
  

• Building Resilience: Equip children with coping skills and strategies to manage stress, build self-confidence, and develop a sense of security and well-being.

  
  

• Fostering Social Connections: Create opportunities for refugee children to build meaningful relationships, develop social skills, and foster a sense of belonging within their communities.

  
  

• Supporting Caregivers: Offer guidance and resources to parents and caregivers to help them support their children's mental health and emotional development.

  
  

How We Deliver Impact

• Counseling Services: Our trained mental health professionals provide individual and group counseling, offering support to children as they navigate their emotions and experiences.

  
  

• Support Groups: Peer support groups create a sense of community, allowing refugee children to connect with others who have shared similar experiences and build supportive relationships.

  
  

• Art Therapy: Through creative activities, children can express their feelings, explore their emotions, and experience emotional healing in a non-verbal, supportive environment.

  
  

• Recreational Activities: Our sports programs, games, and recreational activities promote social interaction, stress relief, and resilience, helping children build positive experiences.

  
  

• Family Involvement: We engage families in the support process, providing them with the tools and knowledge to foster a supportive home environment for their children's emotional well-being.

  
  

Who Benefits

• Refugee Children: They receive the psychosocial support needed to cope with trauma, build resilience, and foster emotional well-being.

  
  

• Families: Parents and caregivers gain knowledge and resources to support their children's mental health, creating a nurturing and supportive home environment.

  
  

• Host Communities: Psychosocial support programs promote social cohesion, inclusion, and understanding within host communities, contributing to the well-being of all members.

  
  

Governance, Oversight, and Accountability

At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.

In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.

• National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.

• International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.

• Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.

For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.

Get Involved/Call to Action

• Support Psychosocial Programs: Advocate for mental health and psychosocial support services for refugee children, promoting their emotional well-being and resilience.

  
  

• Volunteer: Join RefPIC as a counselor, mentor, or program facilitator to support the mental health and well-being of refugee children.

  
  

• Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to develop and implement psychosocial support programs that address the diverse needs of refugee children and youth.

  
  

• Donate: Your financial contributions help fund psychosocial support services, counseling, and recreational programs that empower refugee children to heal and thrive.