Wellness is the state of being healthy in body, mind and spirit. Physical, mental and emotional health are all equally important to a child's well-being and future development. After arrival to Canada, newcomer children may face specific challenges in staying healthy and well.

Many newcomers arrive to Canada with a higher level of physical health than the average Canadian. This "healthy immigrant effect" is due in large part to the medical screenings required of newcomers. However, health levels tend to decrease rapidly once in Canada, and many newcomer communities become high risk for chronic disease, like diabetes and heart disease. This deterioration is likely related to changes in diet, environment and the stresses of migration.

Newcomer children may experience mental and emotional problems due to trauma. Moving to a new place can be traumatic in itself. Some newcomer children may have also experienced a more extreme trauma in their country of origin - war, destruction, the death of a family member, the conditions of a refugee camp, and other hardships difficult for even an adult to process.

There is a tendency to think of children as highly adaptable. However, it is important to pay close attention to newcomer children for signs of problems - culture shock, depression, aggression, mood swings, fatigue, withdrawal, or irritation - and seek appropriate supports from health practitioners if necessary.