Course Description

This course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to
address the unique mental health challenges faced by immigrant and refugee
populations. This course explores the psychological impact of migration,
displacement, and resettlement, focusing on trauma-informed care, culturally
responsive interventions, and systemic barriers to mental health services. The
course covers best practices in assessment, therapeutic approaches, and
community-based mental health interventions. Special attention is given to the
needs of vulnerable groups, such as children, unaccompanied minors,
LGBTQ+ individuals, and survivors of violence and persecution.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the psychological and emotional impact of migration and displacement.
• Recognize and assess mental health challenges in immigrant and refugee populations.
• Apply culturally responsive and trauma-informed care practices.
• Design and implement mental health interventions for immigrants and refugees.
• Address systemic barriers and advocate for mental health equity

Course Contents:

Module 1

Introduction to Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health

  • Definitions: immigrant, refugee, asylum seeker, stateless person
  • Overview of mental health disparities in immigrant and refugee
    populations
  • The role of culture, identity, and acculturation in mental health
  • Stigma and barriers to seeking mental health care

Module 2

Psychological Impact of Migration and Forced Displacement

  • Understanding pre-migration, migration, and post-migration stressors
  • Psychological effects of forced displacement and statelessness
  • Acculturation stress and identity conflicts
    The impact of detention, deportation, and legal status uncertainty
  • Resilience and coping mechanisms among immigrants and refugees

Module 3

Common Mental Health Conditions in Immigrant and
Refugee Populations

  • Overview of trauma-related disorders (PTSD, complex PTSD)
  • Anxiety disorders, depression, and adjustment disorders
  • Somatization and culturally bound syndromes
    Substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions
  • The impact of intergenerational trauma

Module 4

Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Care

  • Principles of trauma-informed care in immigrant and refugee mental health
  • Cultural humility and competence in therapeutic practices
  • Recognizing cultural expressions of distress and healing
    Adapting psychological
  • Interventions for different cultural
    backgrounds

Module 5

Children, Adolescents, and Families in Migration

  • Developmental impact of migration and displacement
  • Psychological effects of family separation and reunification
  • Educational challenges and school-based mental health support
  • Special considerations for unaccompanied minors

Module 6

Gender-Specific Mental Health Considerations

  • Gender-based violence and trauma in immigrant and refugee women
  • Mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees
  • The role of masculinity and mental health in refugee men
  • Sexual and reproductive health in the context of forced migration
  • Intersectionality and multiple layers of vulnerability

Module 7

Common Mental Health Conditions in Immigrant and
Refugee Populations

  • The role of peer support and community healing
  • Collaboration with religious, cultural, and community organizations
  • Group therapy, psychoeducation, and expressive therapies
  • Utilizing traditional healing practices alongside Western mental health approaches
  • Grassroots advocacy and empowerment strategies

Module 8

Ethical Considerations in Working with Refugee and Immigrant Populations

  • Ethical dilemmas in mental health care for immigrants and refugees
  • Informed consent and confidentiality in diverse cultural contexts
  • Addressing power dynamics and trust issues in therapeutic settings
  • Secondary trauma and self-care for mental health professionals
  • Advocacy and policy implications for mental health equity

Recommended Books

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Thaler, R. H. (2015). Misbehaving: The making of behavioral economics. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Ariely, D. (2008). Predictably irrational: The hidden forces that shape our decisions. HarperCollins.
• Montier, J. (2007). Behavioral investing: A practitioner’s guide to applying behavioral finance. Wiley.
• Shefrin, H. (2007). Behavioral corporate finance: Decisions that create value. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Belsky, G., & Gilovich, T. (1999). Why smart people make big money mistakes—and how to correct them.
Simon & Schuster.

Who Should Attend

• Mental health professionals
• Social workers& healthcare providers
• Community workers
• Humanitarian aid workers
• Students of psychology and social sciences

Entry Requirements

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.

Course Dates

August 01 to 15 September 30, 2025 (this course will be entirely online)

Apply by

July 15, 2025

Subject

Mental Health & Well-being

Language

English

difficulty

Introductory

Cost

US$150

What’s included

  • Access your courses anytime, anywhere, with a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
  • Digital certificate on successful completion of the course

Register Now