Specifications include, but are not limited to: The goal of this project is to increase awareness and knowledge of mental illness signs and symptoms, as well as improved access to mental health services for the Arabic speaking community at different service areas in Los Angeles where high concentration of the Arabic speaking community members reside. This project ultimately seeks to reduce isolation and increase social interactions for Arabic speaking older adults. The project will also provide an opportunity for Arabic speaking older adults to process their emotional and mental health issues using poetry. This project hopes to reduce the stigma that continues to exist within the Arabic speaking community toward seeking mental health services and change negative cultural attitudes about mental illness. Additionally, this project aims to normalize conversations around mental health and increase this community’s utilization of mental health services.
