Asylum seekers and refugees are at particular risk of mental health problems. These may develop because of their experiences in their countries of origin, during their journeys, or after they arrive in the UK.
On this page you will find resources to support refugees and asylum seekers with their mental health.
This includes advice translated into Pashto (پښتو), Ukrainian (українська), Dari (دری) and Arabic (عربي).
Educational films for mental well-being
A series of short, captivating films that can be used in refugee communities to support mental health.
Short stories from refugees and asylum seekers
We asked people who are refugees or asylum seekers living in Scotland about what gave them hope when they arrived here.
Navigate: A guide to asylum life in Scotland - Podcast series
Laura, Menesia, Mohammed and Samira are volunteers with the Mental Health Foundation's Weaving Threads for Wellbeing project and have experience of the UK's asylum system. Through Weaving Threads for Wellbeing, refugees and people seeking asylum co-produce mental health resources for their community, based on their own experiences.
Together they have created Navigate: A Guide to Asylum Life in Scotland. In these four podcast episodes, they will share their experiences and interview experts about four aspects of life in Scotland for people seeking asylum.
- Episode 1: Education for people seeking asylum
- Episode 2: Volunteering for people seeking asylum
- Episode 3: Working for people seeking asylum
- Episode 4: Banking and finances for people seeking asylum
This is what hope looks like - Podcast series
In a series called 'This is what hope looks like', we capture refugees' stories of hope to inspire others facing similar barriers.
In our latest episode, Director/Producer Scottish Bafta winner Hassan Nazer, who has lived experience as a refugee, shares the story of his journey and experiences in the UK.
Mental health advice and tips in other languages
Our best mental health tips
Our guide provides you with our best tips on how to look after your mental health, available to download in Pashto (پښتو), Ukrainian (українська) or Dari (دری).
Talking to your GP about your mental health
Advice and tips about how to talk to your GP about mental health, available in Pashto (پښتو), Ukrainian (українська) or Dari (دری).
The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK
Further advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers
Refugee Council
Crisis advice and mental health support to help people settle within their new community.
- Refugee Council
- Scottish Refugee Council
- Welsh Refugee Council
- Refugee advice and support in Northern Ireland
Freedom from Torture
- Psychological therapy to help refugees in the UK who have survived torture rebuild their lives.
UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency
Information about help available for refugees and asylum seekers for countries around the world in lots of different languages.