Inclusive Minds: Migrant women's mental health

"<< Background >>The project ""Inclusive Minds: Migrant Women's Mental Health"" was initiated to address the unique challenges faced by middle-aged and older migrant and refugee women in Europe. This group often encounters language barriers, social isolation, discrimination, and limited access to mental health services. Their mental well-being is frequently overlooked, despite its critical role in integration and social inclusion. Their access to mental health services is hindered by stigma, cultural taboos, and a lack of tailored support as well as a lack of knowledge. What is more, many existing interventions are too difficult for the target group to access, highlighting the need for low-barrier, culturally sensitive solutions. The project aimed to tackle these issues through innovative, culturally sensitive, and accessible learning tools and workshops. Additionally, many services providers struggle to reach these women and to apply appropriate solutions with regard to mental health and welbeing. By developing an easy-to-use board game and by facilitating exchange among stakeholder, these needs were tackled as well. << Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to improve the mental well-being and social inclusion of middle-aged and older migrant women in Europe. It sought to address the stigma around mental health and provide women with tools to build coping mechanisms and enhance their overall well-being. The main objective was the creation of an innovative board game to promote mental health awareness, social interaction, and mutual understanding in an accessible and engaging way. The project strived to empower migrant women and contribute to stronger, more inclusive European communities. Another objective was to break social isolation by fostering intercultural exchanges between migrant and local women through inclusive, low-threshold activities. It also aimed to educate service providers and policymakers on the specific needs of the target group, offering a practical tool and strategies to improve outreach and engagement. The overarching aim was to foster social inclusion of migrant women in Europe. << Implementation >>The project team implemented a range of activities to address its objectives. First, a needs assessment was conducted through interviews with 18 migrant women to identify challenges and priorities regarding mental health and social inclusion. These insights informed the development of an innovative board game, designed to promote mental well-being and foster intercultural interactions. The game underwent iterative testing and refinement through two transnational meetings with target group representatives and project partners.16 local learning activities (12 intercultural gaming events and 4 workshops) were organized in Austria and Sweden to foster the mental health of the core target group and to encourage participation and dialogue between migrant and local women. An awareness campaigns on social media and stakeholder events in each country were also held to share results, highlight the importance of mental health, and showcase the board game as a tool for social inclusion and mental well-being. Constant communication and knowledge-sharing between the partners ensured effective implementation and sustainability of project activities and fostered the outreach of the project results. << Results >>The project delivered several concrete outputs and results. A key achievement was the creation of an innovative and inclusive board game that served and will serve as an accessible and engaging tool to address mental health and social inclusion among migrant women. The game was designed, tested, and refined with input from the target group, ensuring cultural sensitivity and relevance.The project team also produced a framework outlining mental health challenges and solutions for migrant women, which was utilized in local workshops, outreach, and events in Austria and Sweden. These activities fostered social interactions, mutual understanding, and community building between the women. The base for the framework was an extensive needs assessment. Additionally, the project raised awareness among service providers and policymakers about the unique needs of migrant women. By facilitating exchange and sharing our project results, service proveiders felt empowered to tackle migrant women's mental health. The project disseminated its results through constant communicat, podcast episodes, and stakeholder events, and a small online camapaign, raising awareness about mental health and social inclusion challenges."