Let's Talk About…Access to Mental Health Services for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (World Mental Health Day 2025)

Let's Talk About…Access to Mental Health Services for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (World Mental Health Day 2025)

Author: BABCP October 10, 2025 Duration: 32:03

It's World Mental Health Day 2025, and this year's theme is 'access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.

In this special episode of Lets' Talk about CBT, Helen Macdonald speaks with Kerry Young, a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in PTSD, particularly among asylum seekers and refugees. They discuss the impact of trauma on mental health, the challenges faced by asylum seekers in accessing mental health services, and the importance of community support. The conversation also touches on the role of interpreters in therapy, barriers to accessing services, and positive developments in mental health support for asylum seekers.

Useful Information

Links to services by region:

Find a NHS Talking Therapies service here

Wales:

https://sanctuary.gov.wales/refugeesandasylumseekers/healthandwellbeing#

 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/programmes/refugee-programmes/refugee-and-asylum-seekers-wales

Scotland:

https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/health/#Mentalhealthsupport

Northern Ireland:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/journey-wellbeing-refugees-transport-and-mental-health-northern-ireland

Ireland:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/intercultural-health/mental-health-supports/

Get in Touch

If you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes, please email the Let's Talk About CBT team at podcasts@babcp.com.

You can also follow us on Instagram and BlueSky at @BABCPPodcasts.

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen to our sister podcasts: Let's Talk About CBT - Practice Matters and Let's Talk About CBT - Research Matters.

Credits:

Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF


You might have heard the term CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy, mentioned everywhere these days, but what does it actually involve? Let's Talk About CBT cuts through the noise to explore the real-world application of this widely discussed approach. Produced by the BABCP, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, this series brings genuine clarity by featuring conversations with both practicing therapists and people who have personally engaged with the therapy. Each episode feels like a balanced discussion, demystifying complex terms and tackling common misconceptions head-on. Rather than offering quick fixes, the podcast provides a grounded look at how CBT principles work in everyday situations, explaining the why behind the techniques. It’s that direct access to expert insight paired with relatable personal stories that makes the subject so accessible. Whether you're a professional in the field, someone considering therapy, or simply curious about the science of mental well-being, this podcast offers a thoughtful and nuanced perspective. The tone is engaging and informative, stripping away jargon to focus on practical understanding. Tune in for a series that genuinely illuminates the transformative potential of cognitive behavioural therapy, one honest conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 42

Let's Talk About CBT
Podcast Episodes
Let's Talk About CBT Survey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:58
Let's Talk About CBT Survey Have you got 5 minutes to complete a quick survey about your experience of listening? It would really help us to know who is listening and what you would like from the podcast. Thank you! http…
Loneliness for Children & Young People During the Pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:20
What does existing research tell us about the possible impact of the pandemic on children and young people's mental health? Dr Lucy Maddox speaks with Dr Maria Loades about Maria and colleagues' recent rapid review of th…
Helping teenagers do more of what matters to them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:46
How does doing more of what matters help teenagers with low mood and depression? And what can we all learn from this, particularly at the moment? Prof Shirley Reynolds speaks to Dr Lucy Maddox. Show Notes and Transcript…
Tolerating uncertainty: what helps? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:31
We're all living through uncertain times at the moment. What does research from CBT tell us about what tends to help people tolerate uncertainty? Dr Lucy Maddox interviews Professor Mark Freeston about what might help. S…
CBT for Bipolar Disorder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:29
Note: This episode was recorded before government guidance on restricting travel due to coronavirus. We all experience ups and downs in mood, but what happens when the highs are so high and the lows are so low that it re…
Coping with anxiety about coronavirus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:17
This is an understandably stressful time and it's normal to feel worried. What can we learn from CBT for health anxiety that might help us with feelings of anxiety during the pandemic? In this short bonus episode, Dr Luc…
CBT for Self-Harm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
Imagine being asked to give up the most effective strategy you have for coping with stressful situations... this is often what it can feel like to people trying to give up self-harm. In this episode, Dr Lucy Maddox talks…
CBT for Clinical Perfectionism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:14
Striving for achievement has got to be a good thing, right? But what if it starts to get in the way of our happiness? What if the standards we hold ourselves to are unattainable or unrealistic? What if we feel like we'll…
CBT for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:30
How can a talking therapy help with a problem that feels as physical as chronic fatigue syndrome? Ben Adams talks to Dr Lucy Maddox about overcoming his initial scepticism about CBT and why he's glad he did. Professor Tr…
CBT for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:22
How do you talk about something in therapy when all you want to do is avoid thinking about it? And why might it help to be able to tackle it? Nick Gilbert talks to Dr Lucy Maddox about how he sought help for post traumat…