Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming mental health care, but Kurdish-speaking populations remain excluded due to the lack of linguistically and culturally adapted AI solutions. Mental health disparities among Kurdish-speaking communities, many of whom face conflict, displacement, and trauma, highlight the urgent need for accessible digital interventions.

This work introduces a first-of-its-kind AI chatbot that functions as a Kurdish mental health clinician, offering screening, diagnosis, psychological guidance, and counseling in the Kurdish language. As part of a larger digital mental health program, this initiative leverages technology to enhance accessibility, reduce stigma, and provide immediate psychological support to Kurdish-speaking populations.

1. Addressing the Lack of AI Mental Health Tools for Kurdish Speakers

•More than 40 million people speak Kurdish, yet no AI chatbot or initiative exists for Kurdish-language mental health support
•Barriers Kurdish speakers face in accessing psychological care (language, stigma, accessibility)
•The role of AI in bridging gaps for underserved and conflict-affected communities

2. The Development of the Kurdish AI Mental Health Chatbot

•Utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Kurdish dialects
•AI-driven mental health screening, diagnosis, and counseling
•Integration of clinically validated psychological assessment tools
•Training the AI model with culturally adapted responses and interventions

3. Ethical, Technical, and Implementation Challenges

•Data security, privacy, and ethical concerns in AI-driven counseling
•Bias reduction and ensuring culturally appropriate mental health support
•Overcoming limitations in Kurdish-language AI datasets

4. Scaling AI Mental Health Solutions for the Kurdish Population

•Expanding the chatbot’s capabilities to support voice recognition and teletherapy
•Collaboration with Kurdish-speaking psychologists and healthcare providers
•Integrating the chatbot into existing MHPSS frameworks and humanitarian responses

By introducing AI as a Kurdish mental health clinician, this initiative represents a groundbreaking leap in digital mental health support, providing millions of Kurdish speakers access to essential psychological care for the first time. As part of a larger digital mental health program, this chatbot marks a critical step in ensuring equitable access to mental health services for Kurdish-speaking communities.