Impact of community programming targeting newcomer youth settlement and mental wellbeing: a scoping review

Abstract

Newcomer youth represent a growing share of recent immigrants to Canada and often face substantial challenges as they navigate unfamiliar social, educational, and cultural environments. Community-based programs—including arts, sport, mentoring, and school-based supports—are increasingly recognized as important mechanisms for fostering resilience, belonging, and mental wellbeing. This review was initially registered as a systematic review; however, substantial heterogeneity in program types, study designs, and outcome measures necessitated a shift to a scoping review approach following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches of PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science [2000–2025] identified 1,680 records, of which 17 studies met inclusion criteria. Programs varied widely, spanning creative arts therapies, peer and mentor-based interventions, school-based mental health supports, nutrition education, and multi-tier therapeutic models. Thirteen studies reported improvements in at least one domain of mental health and wellbeing, social connection, or settlement integration, highlighting benefits such as enhanced emotional expression, resilience, self-esteem, and school belonging. A smaller number of studies identified potential risks, including re-traumatization and discomfort with disclosure, underscoring the importance of culturally safe and trauma-informed delivery. Overall, the review demonstrates promising, but limited, evidence supporting community programming for newcomer youth and highlights a need for more rigorous, longitudinal, and community-engaged evaluations to guide policy and practice.