Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) is an evidence-informed, school-based intervention for immigrant and refugee youth (K-12th grades).  STRONG aims to build resilience and address psychological distress associated with the newcomer experience from a culturally contextualized lens. STRONG is delivered by school mental health clinicians and is comprised of 10 group sessions, one individual student session, and teacher and parent education sessions. Elementary and Secondary versions are available. STRONG is currently being implemented in schools throughout Canada and the United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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View different versions of this video: American | Arabic | Canadian | French | Spanish

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Core components of STRONG

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• Resilience-Building Skills

• Understanding and Normalizing Distress

• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Skills

  • Relaxation

  • Cognitive Coping

  • Exposure

  • Goal Setting

  • Problem Solving

• Journey Narrative

• Peer, Parent, and Educator Support

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Goals of STRONG

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• Build newcomers’ resilience and promote their healthy adjustment to a new school and country

• Increase social support and connections among newcomer youth

• Increase newcomers’ positive sense of identity, and buffer newcomers from the impact of racism and xenophobia

• Develop newcomers’ strategies to cope with stress and trauma

• Build problem-solving and goal-setting skills

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