MHPSS Volunteer

Are you a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or certified in (ortho)pedagogy? And do you have extensive and relevant clinical work experience? Join our MHPSS team as a volunteer! You and our medical team will contribute to humane (emergency) care at the reception center Mavrovouni.

About us

Boat Refugee Foundation provides medical and psychosocial (emergency) aid and stands up for the rights of people seeking refuge. We take action where systems become inhumane and compassion is lost. Since 2015, we have been working in various locations at the borders of Europe. There are teams, which largely rely on volunteers, and provide medical and psychosocial support.

What will you do?

As an MHPSS volunteer, you will play a part in Boat Refugee Foundation’s psychological support mission in the Mavrovouni camp on Lesbos. Many of the people who reside there struggle with psychological complaints.

Our team provides mental health support to adults, focusing on increasing their strength and capacity. We meet people as true humans, taking their identity, knowledge, and skills as a starting point. Because we believe in equality, we collaborate as much as possible with the camp community. They fulfill an indispensable role as interpreters during our programme’s activities.

Who are we looking for?

• You have extensive and relevant clinical work experience, including working with refugees/migrants abroad or in your country, both in individual and (intercultural) group sessions;
• You have completed a relevant degree (higher professional education or university);
• You have a (comprehensive) grasp of cultural nuances in expressing psychological distress, expertise in the psychosocial implications of migration, and mindfulness of one's privileges, biases, and historically ingrained power imbalances in psychology/psychiatry.
• You can work well with people from different cultural backgrounds and religions;
• You can deal with emotional and confronting situations and able to separate work from personal topics;
• You have experience in supporting adults who have experienced trauma, with serious psychological complaints including panic attacks, psychosis, and suicidality;
• You are independent, but also aware of the limits of your skills and know when to ask for help;
• You can stand your ground firmly and you're physically and mentally healthy;
• You are willing to carry out different tasks and able to adjust to a changing program;
• You speak English fluently;
• You are available for a minimum of two months (preferably longer);
• You have a driver’s license (you will have to drive a manual car every day).