Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHSS)
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHSS)
Refugee Pathways and Integration Canada Inc. (RefPIC) provides comprehensive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHSS) services for refugees and vulnerable newcomers across Canada. We support emotional recovery, promote well-being, and help individuals navigate the psychological stress of resettlement through responsive, culturally safe, and accessible care. Our services reflect global standards and Canadian best practices for refugee mental health care, integrating clinical, community, and peer-based support.
Individual and Group Counselling
RefPIC offers one-on-one therapy with trained professionals who are trauma-informed and culturally responsive. Individual sessions are tailored to support refugees dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-migration stress. Group counselling provides shared healing spaces, enabling clients to connect with others who have similar lived experiences. These groups foster social connection, reduce isolation, and build collective resilience.
Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Care
Our services are delivered through a trauma-informed lens that emphasizes emotional safety, trust, and empowerment. We recognize how trauma impacts behaviour and responses, and we ensure our staff avoid re-traumatization. Cultural responsiveness is foundational to our approach: we engage interpreters, respect diverse healing traditions, and ensure that support aligns with each client’s worldview and identity.
Mental Health Education and Stigma Reduction
RefPIC addresses the stigma often associated with mental health in refugee communities. Through community education and engagement, we build awareness about mental health, promote emotional literacy, and normalize help-seeking. We work closely with cultural brokers and community leaders to deliver messages that resonate with diverse cultural understandings of well-being.
Peer-Based Psychosocial Support
We integrate peer support into our MHSS model. Trained refugee mentors and volunteers facilitate group activities, community dialogue, and one-on-one encouragement. These peer programs help reduce isolation, build trust, and foster community healing. They are especially effective for individuals who may hesitate to engage in formal counselling.
Clinical Referrals and System Navigation
RefPIC helps clients navigate the health and social service system to access specialized care when needed. We provide warm referrals to family doctors, psychiatrists, and community mental health providers, and guide clients through processes covered by public health insurance programs. Our team helps address barriers like waitlists, language, and transportation to ensure continuity of care.
Family Wellness and Youth Mental Health
Our services extend to families and young people. We support refugee parents in managing intergenerational challenges and offer targeted services for children and youth, including school-based psychosocial support, youth mentorship, and creative expression programs. We focus on strengthening family resilience and promoting wellness across generations.
Mobile, Virtual, and Community-Based Access
We deliver services in multiple formats to meet diverse access needs. Mobile teams reach clients in remote or underserved areas. Virtual sessions ensure privacy and flexibility, with support provided by phone or video. In community-based settings, such as libraries, faith centres, and schools, we create welcoming, non-clinical spaces that reduce stigma and increase accessibility.
Integrated Service Model
Mental health is deeply connected to other aspects of settlement. RefPIC integrates MHSS with housing support, employment services, legal assistance, and language training. Our holistic approach ensures that psychological well-being is not treated in isolation but as part of the full experience of rebuilding life in Canada.
National Reach Through Partnerships
Where RefPIC does not have a direct physical presence, we deliver services through trusted partners. We train community agencies, collaborate with local clinics, and co-develop psychosocial initiatives to ensure coverage in underserved regions.
Our coordinated approach ensures that all refugees, regardless of location, have access to quality mental health support.
Our Commitment
RefPIC is committed to providing culturally safe, accessible, and non-stigmatizing mental health services. We uphold confidentiality, promote empowerment, and support each individual’s right to heal. Through our MHSS program, we create pathways to emotional recovery, resilience, and lasting integration.
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