Resources for Mental Health Students, Professionals and Anyone Who Wants to Understand More
Resources CMHWB
Mental health knowledge should not be locked behind paywalls, professional gatekeeping, or language that only specialists understand. This page exists to make the most useful tools and information accessible to anyone who needs them.
We update this section regularly. If you know of a resource that belongs here, write to us.
Screening and Assessment Tools
These are not diagnostic instruments on their own, but they are useful starting points for understanding mental health presentations.
PHQ-9 — Patient Health Questionnaire
The most widely used screening tool for depression. A 9-item questionnaire that takes under three minutes to complete. Available in Urdu.
GAD-7 Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale
A 7-item tool for screening and measuring anxiety severity. Simple, validated, and widely used alongside the PHQ-9.
PCL-5 PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
A 20-item self-report measure of PTSD symptom severity. Particularly relevant in disaster-affected and conflict-exposed populations
SRQ-20 Self-Reporting Questionnaire
Developed by the WHO specifically for use in low and middle income country settings. Designed for non-specialist use in primary care and community contexts.
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
The gold standard tool for suicide risk assessment. A brief, structured interview available in multiple languages.
Open Access Reading
Gain unlimited access to a thoughtfully curated repository of reading materials. Click on the button to browse and download resources that support your growth.
Online Learning
Access trusted online courses from leading institutions focused on mental health and care.
Choose a program below to learn from experts and strengthen your knowledge.
The Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) — WHO
Free training materials designed to help non-specialist health workers assess and manage mental health conditions in low-resource settings. Available in multiple languages. Directly relevant for community health workers and primary care physicians in Pakistan.
Trauma and Recovery Certificate Programme — Harvard
Developed by Dr. Richard Mollica at Harvard. Designed for health professionals working with trauma-affected populations globally. Accessible online.
Psychological First Aid — WHO/UNHCR
Free e-learning course on delivering psychological first aid in humanitarian settings. Practical, evidence-based, and designed for non-specialists.
Introduction to Global Mental Health — Johns Hopkins via Coursera
John's community was struggling with stigma around mental health. After our outreach, the community saw a shift in attitudes and increased resource utilization.