VIPSIG resources
Here you can find useful resources from our Volunteering and International Psychiatry SIG.
The College’s volunteer scheme aims to facilitate contact between hospitals, clinics, projects and communities in need of psychiatric expertise and training, and psychiatrists who are willing to offer their time and support. Learn more about the volunteer scheme.
To register with the RCPsych volunteer scheme, you will need to complete and return the volunteers registration form. Download the volunteer scheme registration form (DOC).
- World Health Organization Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP)
- WHO Psychological First Aid: guide for field workers (PDF), World Health Organization, 2011
- WHO Guidelines for Management of Acute Stress, PTSD, and Bereavement: Key Challenges on the Road Ahead (PDF), PLOS Medicine, Tol et al., 2014
- Service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in low- and middle- income countries: systematic review (PDF), BMC Health Services Research, Semrau et al., 2016
- WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide Version 2.0 (PDF), World Health Organization, 2016
- WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide: a systematic review of evidence from low and middle-income countries (PDF), BMJ Mental Health, Keynejad et al., 2017
- The impact of COVID-19 on mental, neurological and substance use services: results of a rapid assessment (PDF), World Health Organization, 2020
- Intervention Guide (IG) training videos
- mhGAP Orientation Workshop 2014 (DOC) report
- Engaging in Global Health: The Framework for Volunteering Engagement in Global Health (PDF), Department of Health, 2014
- World Mental Health Day: Dignity in Mental Health Report (PDF) World Federation for Mental Health, 2015
- Culture, Context and the Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Syrians (PDF) UNHCR Review, 2015
- Improving Health at Home and Abroad: How overseas volunteering from the NHS benefits the UK and the world (PDF) APPG on Global Health, 2013
- The management of adult psychiatric emergencies in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review (PDF), The Lancet, 2015
- Volunteering in Myanmar (DOC), blog entry by Dr Jane Mounty, 2017
- Clinical Tutor in Global Mental Health advert (PDF), Zimbabwe, 2015
- Guatemala mhGAP training (DOC), blog entry by Dr Charalampos Pandis, 2018
- Volunteering in Punta Gorda, Southern Belize (PDF), blog entry, 2018
- Schizophrenia Outreach in Larkano (SOUL) (PDF), blog entry and report by Dr Safi Afghan, 2011
- Complex humanitarian emergencies: mental health and psychosocial response (Role of Psychiatrists in Humanitarian Settings), Webinar on e-Learning hub 2021
- Volunteering internationally with RCPsych
- MindEd: a free educational mental health resource for professionals and the public
- RCPsych Psych Star Scheme PTC Bursaries - available to medical students planning a psychiatry elective
- Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) Newsletter, June 2020
- Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) Newsletter, August 2020
- MHAF Project (PDF) in association with Mental Health Awareness Foundation (MHAF) Maldives, 2015
- Malawi Quick Guide to Mental Health (PDF), Scotland-Malawi Mental Health Education Project (SMMHEP), 2020
- Qualitative Evaluation of WHO supported Psychological First Aid Training in Kashmir (PDF), Poster 2019
- World Psychiatry Journal (PDF), October 2019
- Intervention - the Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Conflict-Affected Areas. A peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for the international exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of mental health and psychosocial support in (post) conflict settings. It also provides a free online archive of articles older than 12 months.
- Perinatal Mental Health Service: UK-Bangladesh Initiative free webinar, organised by British Bangladeshi Psychiatrist Association (BBPA) on Perinatal Mental Health service development, featuring RCPsych Registrar Dr Trudi Seneviratne.
- Designing and managing safe seclusion facilities free webinar 2023, organised by BBPA and VIPSISG. Delivered to promote collaboration with a wider network to address the health needs of mental health patients in a sustainable manner. VIPSIG Chair Dr Anis Ahmed was a panellist.
- BBPA Annual Conference 2023: British Bangladeshi Psychiatrists Association
- A list of global volunteering opportunities (DOC) for VIPSIG members, 2018
- Health Education England Guidance (PDF) for trainees planning to volunteer or work overseas, 2017
- Royal College of Nursing International policy
- Royal College of Nursing Working Internationally: A Guide to humanitarian and development work for nurses and midwives (PDF)
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