Mental Health Resources in Europe

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR DIASPORA IN EUROPE

COMMON CHALLENGES

• Post-traumatic stress (war, flight, loss)
• Acculturation stress (between two cultures)
• Isolation, discrimination, language barriers
• Family separation grief
• Intergenerational trauma

ACCESS BY COUNTRY

FRANCE

• Mon Parcours Psy: 8 free sessions/year (via GP referral) — monparcoursspy.sante.gouv.fr
• CMP (Centre Médico-Psychologique): free, public mental health centers
• COMEDE: specifically for exiles' health — comede.org
• Elan Interculturel: multilingual therapy
• Crisis: 3114 (suicide prevention, 24/7, interpreters available)

GERMANY

• Psychologist via GP referral (covered by Krankenkasse after approval)
• Wait times: 3-6 months for regular therapy
• Psychologische Beratungsstelle: free counseling centers
• BAfF (Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge): specialized centers
• Crisis: 0800 111 0 111 (Telefonseelsorge, 24/7)

SWEDEN

• Vårdcentral → referral to psychologist (covered)
• Ungdomsmottagning: free for under-25
• Red Cross treatment centers for torture survivors
• 1177: healthcare guidance including mental health
• Crisis: Mind Självmordslinjen 90101

NETHERLANDS

• GP referral to psychologist (basis GGZ or specialized GGZ)
• Covered by basic insurance (after own risk / eigen risico)
• i-Psy: intercultural psychology, multilingual — ipsy.nl
• ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum (for trauma/PTSD)
• Crisis: 113 Zelfmoordpreventie (0900-0113)

GENERAL TIPS

• Ask specifically for therapists experienced with refugees/migration
• Many organizations offer therapy in Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish
• Online therapy (video) available in most countries
• Art therapy and group therapy often effective for trauma
• Children: school psychologist is first point of contact (free)

MULTILINGUAL RESOURCES

• Refugee.info (multiple languages)
• WithRefugees app
• YouTube: many therapists share content in Arabic/Kurdish