"I think probably to really think deeply about the amount of othering that we all do every day in our lives and how to start reversing that, how to understand where it comes from, and how we start to keep ourselves to account in that process because we really need to change the way that we interact with people if we are going to ever get to health equity." - Dr. Rima Afifi

In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, host Ellery Winterbottom is joined by Dr. Rima Afifi, a public health expert, and professor, to discuss mental health in immigrant and refugee communities. They delve into the challenges faced by these communities, the importance of understanding and addressing mental health, and the innovative program called Problem Management Plus in Iowa. Join us to learn about the complexities of mental health and how we can all contribute to creating a more equitable society.

About the guest:
Dr. Rima Afifi is a professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health. She is an expert in public health, mental health, and the challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities. Dr. Afifi has worked extensively in developing and implementing innovative programs to support mental health in these communities, such as Problem Management Plus. Her work aims to promote health equity and empower communities through a strengths-based approach.

In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, you will learn:

1. The challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities, especially concerning mental health and intergenerational tension.
2. The concept of the mental health pyramid and its relevance to these communities.
3. The innovative program called Problem Management Plus and its role in addressing mental health issues in immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
4. The importance of peer-to-peer support, cultural sensitivity, and focusing on the strengths of these communities.
5. How to get involved and connect with Dr. Rima Afifi's work.
6. The significance of reflecting on the concept of "othering" and working towards health equity in our daily lives.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - About Dr. Rima Afifi
02:40 - The mental health pyramid and its relevance to immigrant communities
05:15 - Intergenerational movement and tension in preserving cultural identity
07:55 - How Problem Management Plus addresses mental health in immigrant communities
12:45 - Peer-to-peer support and cultural sensitivity in the program
17:20 - Scaling up the program across Iowa and its significance
20:40 - How to get involved and connect with Dr. Afifi's work
24:00 - Final thoughts: Reflecting on othering and working towards health equity

About the host: Ellery Winterbottom is a junior at the University of Iowa studying human physiology with a minor in lifestyle medicine on the pre-PA track. Ellery is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.