Let's Talk About…Access to Mental Health Services for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (World Mental Health Day 2025)

Oct 10, 2025

It’s World Mental Health Day 2025, and this year's theme is 'access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.

In this special episode of Lets’ Talk about CBT, Helen Macdonald speaks with Kerry Young, a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in PTSD, particularly among asylum seekers and refugees. They discuss the impact of trauma on mental health, the challenges faced by asylum seekers in accessing mental health services, and the importance of community support. The conversation also touches on the role of interpreters in therapy, barriers to accessing services, and positive developments in mental health support for asylum seekers.

Useful Information

• The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) is the lead organization for CBT in the UK.
• For those interested in supporting or learning more, Kerry suggests looking up: Freedom from Torture, the Helen Bamber Foundation, Breaking Barriers, Host Nation and The Refugee Council
• More information from the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies can be found here
• Find translated health information from Doctors of the World here and translated mental health information from the Royal College of Psychiatrists here

Links to services by region:

Find a NHS Talking Therapies service here

Wales:

https://sanctuary.gov.wales/refugeesandasylumseekers/healthandwellbeing#

 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/programmes/refugee-programmes/refugee-and-asylum-seekers-wales

Scotland:

https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/health/#Mentalhealthsupport

Northern Ireland:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/journey-wellbeing-refugees-transport-and-mental-health-northern-ireland

Ireland:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/intercultural-health/mental-health-supports/

Get in Touch

If you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes, please email the Let's Talk About CBT team at [e-mail].

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