Psychiatrists seeking opportunities to participate in humanitarian efforts abroad may consider connecting with the organizations which have the knowledge, expertise, and resources to provide recovery and relief efforts. Below are suggestions of several organizations for consideration.
International Humanitarian Opportunities
Basic Needs
An international non-governmental organization working to improve the lives of people living with mental illness and epilepsy.
The Carter Center Mental Health Program
A non-governmental, not-for-profit organization guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health by bringing together health leaders and organizations.
Child Family Health International Global Health Education Programs
A non-governmental organization providing community-based global health education programs for students and institutions using a unique model of fostering reciprocal partnerships and empowerment in local communities.
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)
A non-profit organization delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care.
International Medical Corps
A global, humanitarian, non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief.
International Committee of the Red Cross
An independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.
Partners In Health
A non-profit health care organization focused on providing a preferential option for the poor in health care by establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty.
Seed Global Health Global Health Service Partnership
A public-private collaboration committed to helping increase clinical care capacity and strengthen health systems in resource-limited settings by cultivating the next generation of local doctors and nurses. The program places US health professionals alongside local medical and nursing faculty counterparts to meet teaching needs.
StrongMinds Mental Health Africa
A social enterprise provides life-changing mental health services to impoverished African women using a unique depression intervention and a low-cost approach.
Interested individuals should thoroughly research each organization before participating and understand the setting and context of each opportunity. Information, including interactive maps, on existing relief efforts coordinated with federal agencies can be found through USAID.
APA provides information and educational resources for psychiatrists preparing and responding to disasters and mass trauma through the Disaster and Trauma webpage.