Volunteering internationally
We are committed to supporting mental health care across the world, particularly in countries that are known to suffer from an acute shortage of psychiatrists.
The RCPsych is committed to working with long-term, dedicated partners in the spirit of sustainable international development. As a result, opportunities for involvement may not arise frequently, but when they do, they are diverse and impactful. These opportunities may include delivering online training, providing mentorship, facilitating observerships, translating patient information leaflets, and more.
The College’s focus on meaningful, enduring collaborations ensures that all activities are aligned with the broader goals of sustainable mental health development across regions.
The RCPsych Volunteer scheme utilises the skills and experience of our members. The international Team works closely with members to collaborate with partners with whom we have an established, project-based relationship.
We are currently not recruiting for new international volunteers.
If you would like to be added to our pool of volunteers, please contact Patricia Akullo for a registration form.
The RCPsych does not directly approaches countries or services; instead, we wait to be contacted with a specific need in mind. Once a request is made, we take it to the International Advisory Committee for discussion to determine if it is an area where the College can truly make a difference. This approach ensures that our involvement is both responsive and impactful, focusing on areas where we can offer meaningful support.
If your institution, organisation or charity is interested in working with the RCPsych on a volunteer project, please get in touch with the International team, to discuss further.
The College firmly believes that emergency intervention should be left to specialised agencies and professionals who possess the appropriate training, adhering to the principle of 'do no harm'. We will never deploy volunteers to areas that have not been approved by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Instead, we will reach out to sister organisations to offer support that is suitable for the specific situation.
Please see the following guidance related to volunteering in international emergencies:
