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
Short stories from refugees and asylum seekers
Our experiences of living in a hotel as asylum seekers
Four asylum seekers share their experiences of living in a hotel long-term in Scotland, how this has affected their mental health, and tips and advice for coping. This short documentary was co-produced as part of the Mental Health Foundation's Weaving Threads for Wellbeing programme in Glasgow.
This video is also available with Arabic subtitles.
Podcast: Navigate: A guide to asylum life in Scotland
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 this project, 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. They share their experiences and interview experts about four aspects of life in Scotland for people seeking asylum.
Podcast: "This is what hope looks like"
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
Talking to your GP about your mental health
The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK
This report presents evidence on the circumstances which asylum seekers and refugees in the UK can face, and how these experiences can harm their mental health and even lead to suicidal feelings and actions. Published February 2024.
Read the report
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
- Scottish Refugee Council - information for new refugees
- 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.