title: Creative expression workshops in school: prevention programs for immigrant and refugee children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immigrant and refugee families underutilize mental health services and schools are in a good position to develop prevention programs to help children adapt to their new environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The transcultural psychiatry team at the Montreal Children's Hospital, in partnership with schools, has implemented creative expression workshops for kindergarten, elementary schools, and high school to help the children bridge the gap between past and present, culture of origin and host society.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The workshops provide a safe space for expression, acknowledge and value diversity, allow the establishment of continuity, and facilitate the transformation of adversity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refugee and immigrant children's needs should be addressed through intersectoral programs that target exclusion and support a sense of agency.
authors.affiliation: Child Transcultural Psychiatry Team, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal Quebec.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: Abha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: Maryse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benoit