Porque Me Desahogué: Expressive Writing as a Tool for School-based Trauma Treatment in Central American Adolescents.

Central American youth who have immigrated to the United States often endure profound trauma and loss, both in their home countries and during their journeys to the United States. Once in the United States, youth who are immigrants must confront the challenges of acculturation while simultaneously managing the psychosocial and emotional effects of trauma. Systemic barriers to mental health care complicate the process of healing, heightening the risks associated with unhealed trauma. Innovative, culturally responsive approaches to trauma treatment are of critical importance for school- and community-based clinicians seeking to promote well-being and mitigate risk in this underserved, yet uniquely resilient, population. This exploratory study highlights the power of expressive writing as a school-based intervention to enhance empowerment and wellbeing in Central American newcomer adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]