PUBLIC GOODS IMPACT BLOG ARTICLE

This CCESL Project, Strengthening livelihoods and wellbeing of queer communities in Kurdistan, Iraq, focused on adapting a stress management guide, Doing What Matters in Times of Stress for queer communities in Kurdistan, Iraq. The original guide is a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) intervention published by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global resource for communities impacted by daily stressors and adverse experiences. Queer communities in Kurdistan, Iraq are faced with ongoing human rights abuses and discrimination of their sexual and gender identities that impede their livelihoods and safety. Governmental laws have criminalized LGBTQIA+ identities and have created a pathway for armed conflict groups to inflict violence and cruel violations of the human rights of queer communities in Kurdistran, Iraq. Local queer communities often face an inability to access specific mental health services that is attuned to their distinct needs and identities. A participatory, community-based approach was used, partnering with global community partner Psychologia, led by Dyari Hama Amin, and local community partner Interdisciplinary Global Mental Health Innovation (IGMHI), formerly named GMHPSS Network, affiliated with the University of Denver, to provide space for the queer communities unique needs to be addressed. Dyari was engaged as the cultural broker for the project, facilitating community-engagement so that adaptations were made in a culturally responsive manner. Weekly collaboration meetings were completed to discuss the original stress management tools, as well as the cultural and safety considerations of the region, needs of the community, and culturally relevant metaphors and beliefs to incorporate into the adaptations. As a result, five psychosocial coping infographics were produced, directly addressing the following needs identified during collaboration meetings: stigma around using mental health services, understanding the difference between thoughts and feelings, maintaining feelings of safety, grounding, understanding resiliency, and post-traumatic growth. The finalized infographics were titled to address the community’s specific needs in Kurdistan: “Grounding”; “Feeling Safe”; “Express Yourself”; “Self-compassion and Empathy”; and “Acceptance and Growth”. Each infographic includes a rationale [psychoeducation] section to address the stigma embedded in the culture, working to de-stigmatize the experience of mental health symptoms and need for services. A mutual decision between partners was made to exclude LGBTQIA+ and gender-based language from the finalized infographics for the protection of the queer communities in Kurdistan, Iraq, allowing them to safely and openly utilize these resources without placing their livelihood and safety at risk. The culturally relevant metaphor, “there are no friends but the mountains” was utilized to adapt the interventions with cultural responsivity, intended to attune to the cultural beliefs and values of Kurdistan, Iraq. The finalized infographics were published on social media, the main source for mental health services and resources in Kurdistan, Iraq. The psychosocial coping infographics provide an accessible, attuned community resource for queer communities in Kurdistan, Iraq to strengthen their wellbeing and promote dignity. The title of the finalized infographics booklet was Overcoming Stress in Tough Times, published in both English and Kurdish.