World CBT Day 2026
CBT in Action: Mental Health Support in Humanitarian Crises
This year’s theme, chosen by the Board of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (WCCBT), aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emphasis on mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian crises, emergencies and disaster contexts.
Humanitarian emergencies — whether conflict, disaster, displacement, or large-scale disruption — not only destroy physical infrastructure; they also fracture social support, disrupt mental health services, and expose individuals and communities to profound psychosocial strain.
As a community of CBT practitioners, scientists, and organisations, we have a unique role to play: to offer evidence-based psychological interventions that can be adapted, scaled, and applied in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings; to raise awareness of the impact of emergencies on mental health; and to contribute to system-strengthening, capacity-building, and advocacy.
At BABCP, we are proud to share the knowledge and experiences of our members and others within the CBT community.
Here, you can find out more about work carried out by BABCP members to share knowledge and application of CBT in supporting those affected by humanitarian crises.
Climate emergencies
CBT and responses to extreme weather events: A commentary on current knowledge and future directions – Professor Mark Freeston writes about approaches to supporting those affected by climate change and related extreme weather events
Training in conflict zones
Teaching clinicians working with victims of violence in Iraq – Dr Sameena Akbar travelled to northern Iraq to teach clinicians working with survivors of violence
Refugees
Working with refugees and asylum seekers at High Intensity – Mariella Nikolova-Dean shares her experiences of providing help to refugees at an asylum centre
Human trafficking
Using CBT with adult survivors of human trafficking – Francesca Brady and Rachel Witkin on the latest episode of our Let’s Talk About CBT: Research Matters podcast
