Learn more about the topic psychosocial support
IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
2007
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants on the Move in Europe.
A multi-agency guidance note
2015
This brief guidance note seeks to provide advice on protecting and supporting the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in Europe. It describes key principles and appropriate interventions to guide all those who are designing and organizing emergency services and/or providing direct assistance to the affected people.
Improving Mental Health Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
News and presentations from the conference developed by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with MIND, the Refugee Council and Médecins du Monde, and chaired by Guglielmo Schinina, Head of Mental Health. The International Organization for Migration.
UNHCR: Study on Psychological Characteristics of Asylum-Seekers in Serbia.
International Medical Corps: Rapid Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Situational Assessment in Serbia
Björn Ramel, Malmö, Sweden: Shelter from the storm – mental health problems among refugee children (video)
Björklund, K. 2015. Unaccompanied refugee minors in Finland. Challenges and good practices in a Nordic Context. Turku: Institute of Migration
Psychological first aid: Guide for field worker
Authors: WHO, War Trauma Foundation and World Vision International.
Jensen T., Skårdalsmo E., Fjermestad K. 2014. Development of mental health problems a follow – up study of unaccompanied refugee minors. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and mental Health 2014, 8:29.
Peltonen K., Punamäki R-L. 2010. Preventive Interventions Among Children Exposed to Trauma of Armed Conflict: A Literature Review. Aggressive Behavior. Volume 36; 95-116.
Peltonen K., Qouta S., El Sarraj E. and Punamäki R.-L. 2010 Military trauma and social development: The moderating and mediating roles of peer and sibling relations in mental health. International Journal of Behavioral Development. 2010; 554-563.
Peltonen K., Qouta S., El Sarraj E. and Punamäki R.-L. 2012. Effectiveness of School-Based Intervention in Enhancing Mental Health and Social Functioning Among War-Affected Children. Traumatology XX(X); 1-10.
The Psychosocial Care and Protection of Children in Emergiences. Teacher Training Manual
UNICEF – 2009
Toolkit on Child Protection in Emergencies: A Guide for Field Workers.
Section 5 Psychosocial Support
UNICEF – Indonesia, 2008.
Psychosocial Activity Book for Children and Youth Exposed to Difficult Circumstances
UNICEF – Mena, 2002
Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)
Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR), is an intervention designed to follow Psychological First Aid (PFA) in the weeks and months following disasters and mass violence events. SPR aims to help survivors gain skills to manage distress and cope with post-disaster stress and adversity. The SPR Field Operations Guide was developed jointly by the National Center for PTSD and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, with contributions from individuals involved in disaster research and response.
SPR is not formal mental health treatment, but utilizes skills-building components from mental health treatment that have been found helpful in a variety of post-trauma situations, including problem-solving, positive activities scheduling, managing reactions, helpful thinking, and building healthy social connections. Research suggests that a skills-building approach is more effective than supportive counseling. SPR is appropriate for developmental levels across the lifespan, and is culturally informed. SPR aims to facilitate recovery, support functioning, and prevent behaviours that make things more difficult.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Psychosocial support
International Federation Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support
One of the main functions of the International Federation Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support is to gather and share knowledge. The PS Centre publishes training tool kits, resource kits, handbooks etc. on psychosocial support, which we have assembled here in one comprehensive library. You can download and print out all of these publications in this section or, alternatively, you can contact us to purchase the publication in book form.
Red Cross: Video diaries
Red Cross: Refugees’ true stories
Own Words / Omin Sanoin. Changemakers in Finland
YouTube videos with stories of refugees and asylum seekers coming to Finland
Comics
Pictures / Stories written by Refugees and Asylum Seekers