The increasing reliance on electronic mental health solutions in humanitarian contexts is reshaping the landscape of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). In conflict zones, natural disasters, and displacement settings, eMHPSS has emerged as a vital tool to overcome barriers such as healthcare worker shortages, security risks, and logistical constraints. However, unlike in-person interventions, there are currently no globally standardized guidelines for eMHPSS, leading to inconsistent service delivery and ethical concerns.

This presentation will explore the need for structured eMHPSS guidelines and introduce a proposed framework based on emerging research and expert recommendations.

1. The Growing Importance of eMHPSS in Humanitarian Settings

• How eMHPSS overcomes traditional mental health service barriers
• Evidence-based effectiveness of video conferencing, self-help apps, and online counseling
• Lessons learned from previous eMHPSS applications in disaster-affected regions (e.g., Haiti earthquake, Syrian crisis, COVID-19 response)

2. The Gap: Lack of Standardized eMHPSS Protocols

• Absence of structured guidelines compared to existing in-person MHPSS standards (e.g., IASC Guidelines)
• Challenges faced by NGOs, humanitarian workers, and clinicians when implementing remote mental health interventions
• Ethical and logistical concerns: confidentiality, data security, access to technology, and cultural adaptation

3. A Roadmap for Developing eMHPSS Guidelines

• Expert-driven approach: Using a Delphi study to gather consensus from global experts
• Key focus areas:
  • Clinical best practices for online mental health interventions
  • Ethical and legal considerations for remote psychological support
  • Technical infrastructure requirements (internet, device access, and security)
  • Integration with existing humanitarian response frameworks
• Proposal for collaborations with WHO, IASC, ISTSS, and NGOs

4. Implementation and Future Directions

• Pilot testing eMHPSS protocols with humanitarian organizations
• Training and capacity building for MHPSS actors
• Ongoing evaluation and refinement of guidelines based on real-world application

By presenting this framework, this session aims to lay the foundation for globally recognized eMHPSS standards, ensuring consistent, ethical, and effective digital mental health support in humanitarian settings.
 

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.