Negative mental health effects of war exposure and displacement are pervasive, but many displaced persons and refugees in low-and-middle income countries lack access to evidence-based treatments. Community lay-therapists are a promising solution for the global mental health field. However, in spite of results from randomized-control trials, no research to-date has examined the external validity of community-led lay-therapist effectiveness. In this exploratory study, longitudinal data at three time points were collected from 28 Arabic-speaking displaced persons (nineteen women and nine men, ages 18-57) seeking mental health services from the Jiyan Foundation: a non-profit founded and based in Kurdish Iraq. Lay therapists trained in evidence-based treatments upon being hired operated largely independently of supervision from foreign clinicians. Participants in weekly psychotherapy completed the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist (PCL-5) and the Psychological Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at baseline, one month, and three months, as well as a modified measure assessing traumatic exposure, purpose-in-life, and a modified Afghan Daily Stressors Scale at baseline to assess for moderators of change over time.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must speak Arabic fluently; must be seeking mental health services at the Jiyan Foundation

Exclusion Criteria:

• No Arabic proficiency; under 18 years

Participants were 18-years-or-older Arabic speakers displaced from their homes in either Central/Southern Iraq or Syria and now residing in Kurdish Iraq and seeking treatment for mental health difficulties.

Dataset is available with participant answers, but original forms are not to be shared as some personal information was written in notes (i.e. names)

Data will be available for two years after reporting and by request following.

Data is publicly available at OSF for download, or can be requested by contacting blackwell@unm.edu