About

In this talk, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE discusses the vital role grassroots organisations play in improving the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees, drawing on over two decades of experience as Founder and Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), which he founded in 2001 after fleeing Afghanistan and claiming asylum in the UK. The mission of the organisation is to support refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in successfully integrating into British society.

Dr. Nasimi will examine how post-migration challenges — including isolation, housing insecurity, and barriers to employment — can exacerbate pre-existing psychological difficulties rooted in experiences of displacement, conflict, and poverty. He will share insights from ACAA-led conferences and focus groups that shed light on the mental health needs of refugee communities. In addition, he will explore the organisation’s political advocacy work — such as the closed roundtable it hosted at the House of Lords in 2023 — and reflect on how collaborative research initiatives create meaningful platforms for refugees and asylum seekers to share their perspectives and shape the policies that affect them.

To read about the series further, visit this page.

How to join this event

Register here for the event.

This is an online event that is free and open for all to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the login details for the session on Zoom.

About the speaker

Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE is community leader, serving as the Founder and Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA). He founded the organisation shortly after his arrival from Afghanistan in 1999, having fled the Taliban during their first time in power. Eager to support fellow refugees, ACAA is driven by these passions, serving as a one-stop-shop for refugees from Afghanistan and all over the world.

This event is organised by the Refugee Mental Health and Place Network and co-sponsored by the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health.

We would like all events to be inclusive and accessible. Please do not hesitate to contact us by email to csmh@kcl.ac.uk to let us know if you have any access requirements or to find out more about this session.

More information

Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

We are a growing network of researchers and community organisations exploring post-migration factors and refugee mental health. We seek to strengthen interdisciplinary expertise and intersectoral capacity to inform health and social policy to help improve mental health outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers. Read more in our recent blog on Understanding the role of place in refugee mental health to inform policy.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Directory for Refugees and Migrants in London

The MHPSS Directory is a broad and detailed list of organisations providing mental health and social support services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in London and Greater London. Click here to find out more and to download the directory.

ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

The ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health develops research to promote and sustain good mental health in communities. We aim to shift public debate about mental health away from a focus on individualised interventions, towards social practices and policies that promote and sustain good mental health.