Commentary: Ecological Relational Supports as Key Resources for Refugee Youth Mental Health

Abstract

Considering mental health outcomes of children and youth refugees is critical to ensuring not only future peace efforts in contexts of conflict, but also in supporting improved social and economic conditions domestically and internationally.1 Failing to address the chronic stress and trauma that young people, their families and communities have been exposed to, undermines peace efforts and acts of repatriation. In this regard, and as stated by Emily Pelley, an interactive ecological resilience framework is an effective framework to guide to both our understanding of psychological responses to conflict experiences and to providing meaningful supports.