Family Separation and Mental Health
Many families temporarily separate during the process of coming to Canada. The length of separation is often longer than anticipated and prolonged by immigration, employment and income issues.
The longer the separation, the harder it is to maintain strong family ties, roles and supports. Reunification can be joyful, but it can also be filled with tension, as family members adapt to each other anew and settle in a new country. Children and youth are particularly vulnerable, and may have difficulty re-establishing relationships with their parents.
The Reunification and Adaptation Program (RAP)
Over ten months in 2010-11, Toronto Public Health, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services and nine other newcomer serving agencies brought youth and adults together to support each other, access community services and to help them cope with family separation and reunification.
Read Family Separation and Reunification (FSR) stories, find tips for newcomers and materials for newcomer serving professionals.
For more information, contact:
Marlon Merraro
Phone: 416-338-7962
E-mail: mmerrar@toronto.ca
Project partners
RAP is a partnership between Toronto Public Health and ten community agencies, led by Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services (SAFSS).
Last updated October 2012
