A Somali refugee has set himself on fire on Manus Island, amid claims of a worsening mental health crisis at the detention centre.

The man, who is 31 according to fellow refugee Shamindan Kanapadhi, was not seriously injured on Monday morning when he set himself alight at the East Lorengau compound on the Papua New Guinean island.

Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition said 14 men who have self-harmed on Manus Island were being housed in the Shamrock compound. Credit:Refugee Action Coalition

Distressing photos show him doused in white foam from a fire extinguisher, his red T-shirt visibly burnt.

He was taken to the neighbouring Shamrock facility for refugees and asylum seekers who have self-harmed, according to advocate Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition.