Paper details
| Paper authors | Lorrie L. King, Noor Al-Zahawe |
| In panel on | MHPSS in Crisis Zones: Psychosocial Liberation through Local Knowledge and Decolonised Practice |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
Addressing transnational trauma requires MHPSS strategies that are culturally grounded and context-sensitive, ensuring they are both relevant and deeply attuned to the lived experiences of affected populations. The absence of culturally relevant approaches perpetuates harm and derails the mainstreaming of MHPSS. Despite growing recognition of MHPSS in post-conflict settings, its implementation remains fragmented, underfunded, and often sidelined in formal frameworks.
The Coffee Klatch offers a transformative example of how community-driven MHPSS can challenge dominant, clinical models by centering displaced Kurdish, Yezidi, and Palestinian women — survivors of genocide, occupation, and sexual violence. Developed in Clarkston, Georgia, by the authors, the program provides culturally tailored, participatory support groups that promote emotional safety, resilience, and collective healing. By focusing on the unique cultural and historical realities of these women, The Coffee Klatch challenges externally imposed frameworks and emphasizes the importance of locally grounded, context-sensitive care. The initiative was later recognized by the CDC as a best practice in refugee psychosocial adjustment.
The model further underscores the need for parallel frameworks that support not only survivors but also trauma stewards—the aid workers who provide care. By addressing the emotional well-being of aid workers alongside survivors, The Coffee Klatch demonstrates the potential of MHPSS to bridge cultural and contextual divides, fostering long-term healing, and contributing to sustainable peace.
