Navigating resources can be difficult, but cultural and language differences can make it even more challenging. We’re spotlighting programs and sharing resources that address these issues and promote diversity and inclusion.
Community
Kurdish Refugee Beliefs about Mental Health and Help-Seeking: A Community-Engaged Research Study in Tennessee
Did you know that Tennessee has over 15,000 Kurds living in the state? This is a fast-growing community in Tennessee, however, there remains so little information and supports to assist them on their disability journeys.
This Kurd community is one of the multicultural communities that we endeavor to provide resource information to, so we wanted to share what we found about a community-engaged research study done by the NIH National Center for Biotechnology Information that was done recently in observance of the Kurd community in Tennessee and to benefit the Kurd community.
Refugee populations exhibit high rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, but are less likely to receive care than the general population. Perceptions among the Kurdish refugee community about causes and consequences of mental illness symptoms and perceived barriers to help-seeking are understudied. This community-engaged research study conducted in-depth interviews with Kurdish refugees from Iraq to explore their beliefs about drivers of mental illness and seeking help for mental health. Analysis of transcripts from the ten participants indicated four key themes: (1) social network loss due to resettlement causes poor mental health; (2) socioeconomic status loss due to unrecognized professional qualifications puts strain on mental health; (3) social stigma about mental health and fears about disclosure of mental health issues within community and subsequent negative gossip prevent help-seeking; and (4) social interaction may alleviate mental illness symptoms. Overall, Kurdish refugees perceived social factors as major drivers of mental illness symptoms and barriers to help-seeking in their community. However, while participants believed that the general community attitude was against help-seeking, most participants personally expressed support of anyone in their community needing to see a mental health professional. Future research should assess the extent to which perceived community norms differ from aggregated personal help-seeking attitudes and behaviors among Kurdish refugees from Iraq in the United States.
Ten Kurdish refugees participated in this study (five men and five women). Thematic analysis of participants’ discussions highlighted interpersonal factors as causes of mental health symptoms, barriers to seeking support, and solutions to addressing mental health symptoms. Four key themes arose: social network loss, loss of professional qualifications, fears about community gossip, and social connectedness to improve mental health (see Table). These themes are discussed below and presented in the Table.
We think this information is very important to share about this quickly growing community in Tennessee, a community we proudly serve. See the full study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9858981/
Multicultural
My Dearest Latinx Community,
Do you know your rights and obligations as a citizen?
Part of being a good citizen is knowing that your rights are crucial for navigating various aspects of life effectively and safely. Here’s a quick overview of some key areas where understanding your rights and obligations are very important:
- Civic Duty: Participating in elections helps the values and processes of democracy that are essential for the functioning of society; but you have responsibilities related to active participation in the democratic process, such as voting, serving on juries, and staying informed about public issues.
- Community Representation: Without community representation there is no change, local elections such as those for city councils or school boards have direct impact in your community, address issues and contribute to community development, as well you have the responsibility to pay our taxes due is essential for public founds services and infrastructure.
- Democratic Participation: It is fundamental to the functioning and health of democratic systems. Participation encourages a more informed and engaged electorate, leading to better decision-making at all levels of government.
- Legal Rights: This includes understanding your rights in legal proceedings, such as the right to remain silent during police questioning or the right to a fair trial. Knowing these rights helps protect you from unlawful practices and ensures you receive a fair process.
Rights are designed to ensure that people can live with dignity, freedom, and equality. Citizens who understand and respect both their rights and obligations contribute to a stable and thriving community.
If you ever feel unsure about your rights in a particular situation, seeking advice from a legal professional or an advocacy organization can provide clarity and support.
With Best Regards,
Andrea Castillo
Multicultural Services Coordinator