The Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project offers online training, tools and resources to settlement, social and health service professionals working with immigrants and refugees. By participating, you’ll gain new knowledge, skills, tools and strategies to apply to your work. You’ll have the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas and experiences with hundreds of service providers across Canada and obtain advice from experts in the field. All activities are self-paced, so take your time and explore all the elements of the project. 

This project builds on the former Refugee Mental Health Project, expanding to cover mental health problems and disorders in different groups of immigrants and refugees as well as evidence-based services, treatments and supports that have the capacity to effectively address the unique needs of different groups.

Aussi disponible en français.

Overall, newly-arrived immigrants have better mental and physical health than the Canadian-born population. Refugees are at a higher risk for mental health problems and disorders than immigrants, however, the mental health of both immigrants and refugees tends to worsen with time in Canada. The rates of mental health problems and illnesses vary considerably between and within different groups. Evidence suggests that some subgroups are at greater risk for deteriorating mental health than others. A one-size-fits-all approach to service models is not effective.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has highlighted an urgent need to reduce disparities in risk factors, improve access to services and effectively respond to the mental health needs of immigrants and refugees. By working to improve the mental health outcomes for this population, service providers will also contribute to their clients’ and patients’ settlement and integration outcomes. Read more about this need >