Social Services and Mental Health

Programs addressing basic needs of refugees adjusting to life in the United States.

Social services

• Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services
  Full text reports and resources on refugee youth from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services.
  
  
• Hennepin County Office of Multicultural Services
  Facilitates the delivery of Hennepin County, Minnesota services to diverse, Limited English Proficiency populations in an efficient, effective, and culturally sensitive manner.
  
  
• Minnesota Department of Human Services Refugee Programs
  Coordinates services to assist refugees to Minnesota in transitioning to life in the United States, including: resettlement and placement, cash and medical assistance, and employment and social services.

Mental health resources

• Refugee Healing Resource Group - A Service of Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services
  A database with information on services, programs, activities and places that assist refugees with emotional, psychological or spiritual healing needs. It can be used by anyone serving refugees.
  
  
• Refugee Mental Health Video with Workbook Series
  Dr. Amos Deinard was project lead in creating a series of training videotapes produced by the University of Minnesota's Refugee Assistance Program- Mental Health Technical Assistance Center, funded through a contract with the National Institutes of Mental Health in conjunction with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The video workbooks have been updated by the MDH Refugee Health Program to promote continued use of these quality resources. Originals are available upon request.
  • The Importance of Primary Prevention (PDF)
    Video workbook for the importance of primary prevention with refugees.
  • Interpreting in Mental Health Settings (PDF)
    Video workbook for interpreting for refugees in mental health settings.
  • Psychiatric Interviewing of Refugee Patients (PDF)
    Video workbook for psychiatric interviewing of refugee patients.
  • Psychological Testing (PDF)
    Video workbook for psychological testing of refugees.
  
  
  
• Canadian Center for Victims of Torture (CCVT)
  CCVT aids survivors in overcoming the lasting effects of torture and war by supporting the process of integration into Canadian society and by raising awareness.
  
  
• Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)
  CVT provide services directly to torture survivors in the U.S. and Africa, including medical and psychological treatment and social services. They also train health, education, and human services professionals who work with torture survivors and refugees.
  
  
• Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma
  This program of the Harvard School of Public Health is a multi-disciplinary program that has been pioneering the health and mental health care of traumatized refugees and civilians in areas of conflict/post-conflict and natural disasters.