Mental Health and Psychiatric Support Internship in Ghana

SFLIG Volunteers: Mental Health Internship in Ghana

Bring your interest in mental health into a Ghanaian service and community setting. With SFLIG Volunteers, explore professional roles, support approved awareness activities and reflect on dignity, stigma and cross-cultural communication. This on-site, unpaid and self-funded opportunity can earn you academic credit.

About SFLIG Volunteers and the internship

SFLIG Volunteers hosts international education, healthcare and community programs in Ghana. This internship connects mental health study with permitted observation, professionally reviewed awareness activities and reflection on service delivery. Psychiatric support means participation within an approved student role. It does not establish authority to provide counseling, diagnosis or treatment. Learn more about us through  www.sfligvolunteers.org.

Responsibilities

Activities are agreed with SFLIG Volunteers according to your training, the activity setting and the permissions in place. They may include:

• Observe authorized services or team discussions only where the facility and relevant individuals permit student attendance.
• Help prepare mental health awareness materials for review by the responsible professional.
• Support agreed nonclinical outreach tasks without conducting individual assessments.
• Discuss professional boundaries, stigma and ethical questions with the designated supervisor.
• Complete anonymized reflections without recording identifiable personal disclosures.

Learning objectives and expected outcomes

You may develop professional communication, awareness-resource preparation, teamwork and reflective practice. Learning goals include understanding professional roles, consent, confidentiality, referral boundaries and the influence of stigma and cultural context. Suggested outputs include a reviewed awareness resource and an anonymized reflective account.

Relevant academic fields

Psychology, mental health, counseling, social work and related health disciplines.

Required qualifications

Applicants should have relevant academic knowledge, respectful communication, emotional maturity and readiness to maintain professional boundaries. Be ready for on-site participation in Ghana and compliance with confidentiality and vulnerable-person safeguarding requirements. Explain your current training and university requirements. The role does not qualify an applicant to counsel or manage a crisis.

Preferred qualifications

Relevant psychology, counseling, social work or mental health coursework; experience preparing awareness resources or participating responsibly in community activities. Prior experience may help demonstrate suitability; it does not expand clinical scope.

Skills you may develop

Active listening, respectful communication, confidentiality, emotional maturity and reflection.

Location and on site arrangements

On-site in Ghana. Psychiatric units, clinics, institutions like schools, companies and community centers. The specific town, activity venue and daily travel arrangements will be provided in your placement information.

Duration schedule and dates

Request your preferred Spring, Summer or Fall 2027 dates and duration in your application. Availability, duration and start dates require written confirmation by SFLIG Volunteers. Your agreed assignment determines the schedule and weekly hours; clinical and outreach schedules may differ. Discuss university hours and assessment requirements before committing to travel. No fixed hours, year-round availability or flexible-start guaranteed.

Program coordination and supervision

SFLIG Volunteers hosts and coordinates the internship. Your responsibilities, program-specific supervision and contact arrangements will be explained before confirmation. Any clinical observation requires the activity venue's permission, appropriate professional oversight and consent. Work within your agreed role, training and authorization. University supervision requirements and any professional requirements must be agreed before travel.

Unpaid status and Self-funded

This internship is unpaid and self-funded. No salary or stipend is offered. Interns pay for their international flights, entry/visa arrangements, suitable insurance, personal spending and any services or optional activities like tourism.

Accommodation meals and support

SFLIG Volunteers provides program information covering accommodation, meals, arrival arrangements and local support. Your approved quotation and placement information will specify the accommodation arrangement, meal provision, included airport/project transport and available support contacts. Discuss room type, dietary requirements and support coverage before confirmation.

Culture and optional activities

Living and participating in Ghana offers opportunities to learn about local food, history, traditions and everyday community life. Optional cultural visits or tourism may be discussed separately, subject to availability.

How to apply

Apply through Handshake with your resume/CV and a short statement covering your academic field, relevant training or experience, learning goals, preferred dates and duration, and any academic-credit requirements. SFLIG Volunteers will review suitability and discuss the activity match, responsibilities, supervision, support arrangements and full costs. Any additional checks or documents will be explained during review. Applying does not guarantee acceptance; obtain written confirmation and complete the stated requirements before making travel commitments.

Academic credit

Academic credit is determined by your university. Consult your academic advisor or internship coordinator for the required hours, supervision and assessment arrangements with SFLIG Volunteers. Any completion documentation must be agreed in advance.

Safeguarding and professional conduct

Respect consent, dignity and confidentiality. Do not independently counsel, conduct psychological testing, diagnose, assess risk, manage crises or plan treatment. Follow the approved escalation process if concerns arise; do not promise confidentiality beyond that process. Use anonymized learning records and follow child or vulnerable-adult safeguarding requirements where applicable.

Take  the  next step

Apply with your resume/CV and explain how your studies connect with mental health observation or community awareness. Include your learning goals, training stage and preferred dates, and describe how you would maintain professional boundaries.