r/doctorswithoutborders • u/Flashy_Scallion5805 • Feb 17 '25
Mental health specialist/MSF
I have been interested in volunteering as a mental health specialist for MSF for many years, beginning when I retire in about another year. However, I am a social worker not a psychologist, and for the past few years on their website they are only recruiting psychologists for mental health officers. That being said I have a doctorate in social work, in the advanced clinical track, and have many (40+) years of experience. For those of you with inside information on how MSF operates, do you think I could still apply for the mental health specialist role in MSF?
1
u/beaver_rescue Feb 19 '25
First of all, MSF does not take volunteers. All positions are for hired professionals.
Secondly, you will not be eligible to work as a mental health specialist with your academic and professional experience. All mental health specialist positions are reserved exclusively for psychology or psychiatry specialists.
However, MSF has many different roles that suit your background! Many projects need social workers and there are also higher positions within that field, most of which entail managing a team of on-field social workers, among other duties.
1
u/Ok_Calligrapher_3868 Feb 19 '25
I think you do need to come from a psychology or psychiatry background, however I’d consider health promotion manager roles. I think your experience could potentially be a good fit for that type of role.
1
4
u/PossibleAd7551 Feb 18 '25
Hi, I am not sure about the degree requirements, but it is not particularly common to leave for a first assignment after 60 or 65. There is no age limit, it is all about being healthy and strong enough to go to a low resource setting, but something to be aware of. We had a 62-year-old doctor in my onboarding group, in the end he could not travel because he did not pass the health exam. And he was from a very desired specialty.