Understanding Mental Health & Immigrant Communities with Dr. Rima Afifi

04/26/23 • 27 min

"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:

The challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities, especially concerning mental health and intergenerational tension.
The concept of the mental health pyramid and its relevance to these communities.
The innovative program called Problem Management Plus and its role in addressing mental health issues in immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
The importance of peer-to-peer support, cultural sensitivity, and focusing on the strengths of these communities.
How to get involved and connect with Dr. Rima Afifi's work.
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.

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

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

Show notes:

Previous Episode

Telemedicine, Cultural Competency, and Job Retention in Healthcare

"I would like to see more effort being put into job creation for retaining local talent. Iowa is great at attracting the best from all over the world, but I cannot see the same for retaining them." - Onyeche Oche

Join host Caleb as he talks with Onyeche Oche, a healthcare researcher and advocate, about her work in telemedicine, cultural competency in healthcare, and her vision for job retention in the Iowa City area. They discuss the challenges and benefits of telemedicine, especially for older adults, and how to make healthcare more inclusive and accessible for all.

About the Guest: Onyeche Oche is a healthcare researcher and advocate with a focus on telemedicine and cultural competency. She is passionate about giving older adults a voice in healthcare research and creating sustainable solutions for diverse communities. Onyeche is committed to making Iowa City a more inclusive and accessible place for all.

You will learn about:

The importance of cultural competency in healthcare and how it impacts patient outcomes.
Onyeche's work and research in telemedicine, especially for older adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The perspectives of different stakeholders, including older adults, physicians, caregivers, and medical assistants, on the barriers and facilitators of telemedicine.
The potential future of telemedicine and its role in different scenarios, individual preferences, and accessibility.
Onyeche's vision for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City, addressing the challenges of attracting and keeping skilled individuals in the area.
The significance of community-based participatory research in multicultural cities like Iowa and the need for collaborative solutions to address diverse communities' healthcare issues.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction to My City My Health Podcast and guest Onyeche Oche
02:14 - Onyeche's background and current work in healthcare research
04:25 - The importance of cultural competency in healthcare
10:12 - The role of telemedicine during the Pandemic
15:25 - The potential future of telemedicine in healthcare
21:57 - Giving older adults a Voice in healthcare research
25:16 - The role of telemedicine in different scenarios and individual preferences
28:35 - Onyeche's hopes for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City
31:23 - The importance of community-based participatory research in a multicultural city like Iowa

About the host: Caleb is a student at the University of Iowa. Caleb 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.

Next Episode

Addressing Health Equity with Aloha Wilks

"When these communities allow you in their spaces, please be humble and allow the trust to build so that you can get the work done. If you don't have the trust, then there's no basis to build up on, no foundation at all." - Aloha Wilks

In this episode, host Olivia Machaccio talks with Aloha Wilks, a passionate advocate for health equity and community engagement. They discuss the challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City, the importance of community involvement, and the role of trust in addressing health disparities. Tune in to learn about the critical work being done to ensure healthcare access for all and the steps being taken to close the gap in health equity.

About the Guest:

Aloha Wilks is an advocate for health equity and community engagement. She is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities, improving healthcare access, and building trust with community members. Aloha is passionate about her work in health equity and encourages others to be intentional, fearless, and humble in their approach to this important issue.

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

The challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City and the role of community engagement in addressing these issues.
The importance of building trust and forming strong relationships with community members to better understand their needs and advocate for them.
The barriers to health equity, such as communication, cultural differences, and access to healthcare resources.
The consequences of not involving community members in the decision-making process and how proper representation can improve health outcomes.
UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City and how it can impact the entire community.
The importance of being intentional, fearless, and humble when working in the field of health equity, and the value of staying connected to community members and their needs.

Show Notes:

[00:00] - Introduction to the My City My Health Podcast
[11:31] - Health equity and transforming the healthcare system
[12:26] - Disproportionate resources in healthcare
[13:56] - Barriers to health equity in the Iowa City community
[15:20] - Importance of community involvement to overcome barriers
[17:15] - Consequences of not involving community members
[18:42] - Advocating for vulnerable communities
[19:14] - UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City
[21:10] - Takeaway message from Aloha Wilks

About the host: Olivia Machaccio, is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa studying Health and Human Phys with a minor in social justice. Olivia hopes to be a doctor helping those in the community. Olivia 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.