Organisations providing mental health support for refugee and asylum-seeking adults

The American Psychological Association’s 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD in Adults are based on systematic review of the scientific evidence, an assessment of the benefits and harms of interventions, consideration of patient values and preferences, and evaluation of the applicability of the evidence across demographic groups and settings.

Access the resources available to assist clinicians implementing the APA’s Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD in adults, a mental health condition that is prevalent in refugee and asylum-seeking populations.

AMES Australia, originally known as Adult Multicultural Education Services, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in their settlement journey across Australia.

Established in 1951, AMES Australia provides a comprehensive range of settlement services, including on-arrival support, English language and literacy training, vocational education and training, and employment services. The AMES Australia website provides information in multiple languages.

In addition, the organisation has joined forces with Beyond Blue , an Australian mental health organisation, to improve mental health support for diverse communities. This partnership aims to enhance access to culturally appropriate mental health services, and to develop culturally sensitive resources and information for many marginalised groups, including migrant and refugee communities, as well as individuals who face additional barriers to seeking help.

The Amna Refugee Healing Network is a UK-based charity that provides trauma-sensitive, community-led psychosocial support to refugees and displaced communities nationally and internationally.

While it supports people of all ages, its core focus is on children, young refugees, and their families through trauma-informed care and early childhood education.

Key programmes on offer include a play-based early childhood programme (Baytna) for children under six and their families, using storytelling, art, and movement to foster emotional resilience; a youth empowerment initiative (Dinami) that offers safe spaces for young people to build confidence and self-expression; therapeutic support both individually and group sessions for adults affected by displacement and violence; training for local organisations and frontline workers to deliver trauma-informed care.

Amna operates in countries such as Greece, Lebanon, Pakistan, and the UK, partnering with local groups to strengthen community healing efforts.

Careif is an international mental health charity committed to increasing awareness of mental health conditions and promoting mental well-being across all countries and cultures. It is dedicated to supporting individuals and communities worldwide by sharing knowledge to improve services and transform lives.

The organisation focuses on training, education, and the dissemination of information, recognising that knowledge and understanding are essential to improving the lives of those affected by mental ill-health. Careif provides a diverse range of specialist training and workshops, consultancy and advice drawing on the wide-ranging expertise of its team to address various aspects of mental health throughout the life course. 

CARE International is a humanitarian agency that delivers life-saving assistance when disaster strikes. It is committed to ending poverty and promoting social justice worldwide. Operating in many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable regions, CARE supports communities in improving their quality of life and rebuilding after crises.

With a strong emphasis on the empowerment of women and girls, CARE believes that when women are provided the right tools and resources, including access to health care, they can transform not only their own lives but also those of their families and entire communities. CARE International also provides mental health and psychosocial support to refugees. For instance, in Ukraine, CARE has been actively supporting families, women, and children affected by conflict by employing psychosocial workers to deliver critical services.

Additionally, in refugee camps in Bangladesh, CARE creates safe and secure spaces and conducts workshops specifically for girls and women, offering them protection, emotional support, and education.

The Centre for Victims of Torture is an international non-profit organisation based in the US dedicated to providing healing and rehabilitation services to survivors of torture.

In addition to direct care, CVT trains partner organisations in the U.S. and internationally to support the prevention and treatment of torture. The organisation also conducts research to enhance clinical practices and engages in advocacy to end the use of torture worldwide.

CVT’s international healing initiatives operate in various regions, including refugee camps and post-conflict regions. It also builds the capacity of local communities and refugee-led organisations to meet the long-term mental health and psychosocial needs of displaced populations.

Doctors of the World UK is a humanitarian organisation dedicated to delivering vital healthcare services to marginalised groups in the UK and internationally who face barriers to accessing mainstream medical care.

These groups include destitute refugees and asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and others excluded from healthcare systems.

Internationally, Doctors of the World UK is part of the Médecins du Monde (MdM) network and through its many programmes, provides emergency medical response, long-term health initiatives, mental health and psychosocial support, and capacity-building in regions affected by conflict, displacement, and public health crises.

These programmes deliver urgent care to those in immediate need such as refugees, work to strengthen health systems in low-income countries, and address the health needs of vulnerable populations around the world. The organisation’s website offers health information in multiple languages.

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) is an independent, international humanitarian medical organisation made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers.

MSF provides emergency medical and mental health care including counselling for trauma and grief to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and those internally displaced and living in refugee camps.

The organisation operates based on the principles of impartiality, independence, neutrality and offers care to anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.

Emerging Minds is an Australian non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of infants, children, adolescents, and their families.

It develops mental health policies, interventions, and both in-person and online training programmes and resources tailored to the needs of professionals, children, and their families. The organisation emphasises the importance of culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and early intervention approaches in supporting children's mental health.

Emerging Minds also offers a comprehensive Resource Library that includes research papers, podcasts, webinars, practice papers, factsheets, toolkits, and more. This information can be searched by keyword.

HealTorture is the website of the National Capacity Building Project (NCB) of the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVT). It serves as a resource centre for professionals interested in supporting and healing survivors of torture. The website provides a variety of mental health resources specifically for practitioners working in this field.

These resources are organised by type such as webinars, videos, publications, tools, links, and topic, to help users easily find relevant information.

Here to Help is a project of the British Columbia Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information, a coalition of seven leading mental health and substance use non-profit agencies in BC.

These organisations work collaboratively to help people including migrant populations, live well and to better prevent and manage mental health and substance use challenges.

Here to Help offers a resource library that includes a wide range of materials on mental health, mental illness, and substance use problems, available in English and several other languages. These materials are developed and tested through a community-based process to ensure that the translations are both accurate and culturally sensitive.

House of Rainbow is a faith-based organisation that offers support to LGBTQ+ individuals, including refugees and asylum seekers, with a particular focus on those from African communities. Many of the people it serves face stigma, discrimination, and violence rooted in cultural and religious beliefs about gender and sexuality.

Operating both locally and internationally, House of Rainbow has a strong presence in the UK, Nigeria, and across Africa and its diaspora. While the organisation is not a mental health organisation, it provides services including pastoral care and counselling; safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people of faith; advocacy and education addressing issues related to faith, gender, and sexuality; community support and events, such as inclusive worship, peer groups, and Pride celebrations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral independent organisation ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for people affected by armed conflict and other violence.

The ICRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and together, they coordinate humanitarian efforts worldwide, especially in response to disasters and crises in conflict zones.

The ICRC assists the wounded and sick in conflict zones, visits prisoners of war and detained civilians, and promotes and ensures compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

In addition, it runs the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program, which helps families and empowers them to deal with the absence of their loved ones and the psychosocial difficulties it creates as well as helping locate and reunite family members.

While ICRC is not a mental health organisation, it runs a number of mental health and psychosocial support projects in response to the needs of various groups it aims to protect, from detainees who have endured ill-treatment to survivors of sexual abuse, refugees, and internally displaced people. 

International Medical Corps is a US-based first-responder, humanitarian, non-governmental organisation that delivers emergency medical services to people affected by conflict, disaster, and disease.

While it is not a mental health organisation, it provides mental health and psychosocial support, including counselling for displaced populations living in emergency settings who have experienced trauma.

It also supports water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives; delivers long-term development assistance in vulnerable and crisis-affected areas; and offers training for local staff and community members to ensure sustainable and ongoing support.

International Medical Corps also work with traditional community-based support groups who can offer basic psychosocial support within the community.

Established in 1951, the International Organisation for Migration is part of the United Nations system and the leading intergovernmental organisation in the field of migration.

IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits both migrants and society.  The rights, dignity, and well-being of migrants remain central to IOM’s mission.

The organisation plays a crucial role in emergency response during displacement crises and assists with family reunification and resettlement.

In addition, IOM supports the mental health and psychosocial well-being of migrants, refugees, displaced people, and affected host communities. It uses a community-based, interdisciplinary, and adaptable approach, promoting supportive environments through intercultural communication across all its programmes.

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s humanitarian crises in conflict zones, areas affected by war, civil unrest, or political violence. Through a combination of fieldwork, advocacy, and partnerships, IRC works to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and empowerment for people affected by conflict and disaster, including displaced people and refugees.

While IRC is not a mental health organisation, it is dedicated to making mental health care more visible and accessible in humanitarian crises. It does this by integrating mental health into primary care, using scalable and community-based interventions, and advocating for culturally sensitive, context-specific services.

The IRC also promotes help-seeking behaviour through outreach efforts like household visits, psychoeducation, and community discussions, aiming to reduce stigma and improve mental health awareness.

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is an international interdisciplinary organisation dedicated to advancing and sharing knowledge about traumatic stress.

Its focus includes understanding trauma's impact, preventing traumatic events, reducing their effects, and advocating for the field of traumatic stress. Its members come from diverse clinical and non-clinical backgrounds worldwide, including healthcare, academia, research, and advocacy. The ISTSS website provides resources for both clinicians and trauma survivors.

The Jesuit Refugee Service is an international Catholic humanitarian organisation founded by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). It supports refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and other forcibly displaced people around the world.

JRS offers a broad range of services, including food, shelter, basic health services, and other immediate aid in crisis situations.

Although JRC is not a mental health organisation, it offers mental health and psychosocial support, helping refugees and displaced people heal emotionally and mentally. Additionally, JRS provides spiritual care to those who seek it, while respecting all religious backgrounds.

The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is a free, family-focused service based at British Columbia Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The centre supports families who have children or youth up to age 24 with mental health or substance use concerns, including migrant families.

Services offered include:

• peer support

• information and resources — including guides, toolkits, and educational materials on mental health, substance use, and eating disorders

• Ask Kelty Tool — an interactive guide to help families navigate mental health and substance use services in BC

• Multi-language mental health resources for families

• school and community resources

• multimedia resources — including podcasts, videos, and webinars.

Mental Health and Human Rights Info is an international resource that offers a valuable database containing references, publications, guides, organisations, and more, covering key topics related to mental health and human rights violations in the context of disaster, war, and conflict. The information is organised into thematic pages and the website is available in both English and Spanish.

The MHRRI website also offers Gender-Based Violence Training Manuals designed for those who support survivors of gender-based violence or train professionals working directly with them. The manuals address working with:

• women

• boys and men

• children

These manuals are available in multiple languages.

MHFA International is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing understanding of mental health and providing evidence-based training programmes.

Its courses teach individuals how to support those experiencing mental health issues or crises such as suicide, including immigrants and refugees, using guidelines informed by research and lived experience.

MHFA is delivered through an international network of licensed providers and instructors, offering training in diverse settings such as schools, workplaces, and communities. The program is designed to be culturally adaptable and regularly reviewed to maintain its relevance and effectiveness.

STARTTS is an Australian specialist, non-profit organisation that provides culturally appropriate psychological treatment, support services, and community interventions to help individuals and communities heal from the effects of torture and refugee trauma, and rebuild their lives in Australia.

The organisation also promotes a positive recovery environment by providing training for service providers, advocacy, and policy work.

In addition, STARTTS offers a wide range of resources to support professionals, communities, and individuals working with survivors of torture and refugee trauma. These include:

• free resources

• Refugee Transition Magazine published by STARTTS

• training materials

• practical tools

• research publications

Therapist Aid is a comprehensive online resource offering a wide range of free and premium tools designed to support mental health professionals in their practice. These include therapy worksheets, interactive tools, guided audio exercises, educational resources for clients, and professional development materials.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations organisation responsible for protecting and supporting refugees and others displaced by conflict, persecution, or disaster, who have been forced to flee their countries in search of safety.

UNHCR provides health services, education, legal support, facilitates voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement. While UNHCR is not a mental health organisation, it provides mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services for adult refugees which is an integral part of its approach to protection, public health, and education.

Through its capacity-building approach, UNHCR trains local health workers including physicians, nurses, and community volunteers to identify and manage mental health, neurological and substance use conditions. It also promotes community-based support by establishing centres and support groups where refugees can engage in social and recreational activities, fostering resilience and social cohesion.

Additionally, UNHCR integrates mental health services into primary healthcare settings to ensure accessible care for all refugees. The official website of UNHCR, available in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish, provides comprehensive information about its mission, operations, and services for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless people around the world. Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR in various countries.

The World Health Organisation is a United Nations agency responsible for international public health. It works to promote health, keep the world safe by coordinating international responses to health emergencies, setting international health standards, and supporting countries in achieving better health outcomes.

Its priorities include disease prevention and the promotion of well-being of people including refugees and displaced population worldwide. While WHO is not a mental health organisation, it leads a number of mental health initiatives including the Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) that aims to expand access to quality mental health services in several countries.

It also runs Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) and developed mhGAP Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) which is a technical tool for the management of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, in non-specialist health settings. The official WHO website provides extensive resources on health topics, publications, fact sheets, health guidelines, updates on disease outbreaks and many more.

World Vision International is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and communities, including refugees and displaced people, to overcome poverty and injustice around the world.

The organisation focuses on key areas such as child protection, advocacy, education, health, nutrition, access to clean water, shelter, and faith and development. It also provides emergency responses to crises in various parts of the world.

Although, they are not a mental health organisation, it offers a range of mental health and psychosocial support programmes, by implementing several community-based mental health and psychosocial support programmes. These include Problem Management Plus (PM+), a low-intensity intervention that helps adults manage stress, depression, anxiety, and practical challenges in low-resource or crisis settings.

World Vision International also offers Psychological First Aid (PFA), providing compassionate, immediate support focused on safety and comfort, delivered by trained community members.

Additionally, they run a basic Psychosocial Support (PSS) programme, which builds on PFA with creative stress management tools and essential life skills to support the emotional well-being of both learners and educators.