​​Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs) Affected by Substance Use​

What will this webinar cover? 

Service providers and foster parents may face challenges or feel unprepared when assisting URMs dealing with substance use. This webinar will explore the complexities of substance use among URMs and equip providers and caregivers with effective strategies. It will also provide a brief overview of substance use disorder (SUD) and its prevalence in the countries where URMs commonly originate.  

Participants will gain insights into the cultural and contextual factors that influence substance use among URMs, including the effects of migration trauma, acculturation stressors, and stigma. The session will focus on the significance of promoting empathetic strategies and encouraging non-judgmental discussions about substance use. The strategies explored will promote resilience, encourage healthy coping mechanisms, and emphasize the value of open dialogue about substance use.  

 Is this webinar for me? 

This webinar will benefit direct service providers and foster parents who work with URMs, along with URM supporters such as volunteers and school staff. This webinar will not include information on diagnosing SUD in a clinical setting; instead, it is intended to be an introductory level webinar for educational and supportive services.  

Why should I participate? 
After participating in this ​75-minute​ session, you will be able to:  

• ​​Explain SUD and the prevalence of substance use in countries where URMs commonly originate 
• ​Analyze the cultural and contextual factors influencing substance use among URMs  
• ​Identify supportive strategies that foster resilience, encourage healthy coping mechanisms, and promote non-judgmental conversations about URMs’ experiences with substance use​