From Australia to Mesopotamia: Rediscovering Assyrian Heritage in Southeast Türkiye- Part 1

As a social worker with 8+ years of experience in mental health, this journey has become part of my broader interest in culturally informed and trauma-informed practice. Learning more about the histories, displacement, and lived experiences of communities from Mesopotamia helps deepen my understanding of identity, intergenerational trauma, belonging, and resilience. While my own heritage is Assyrian, this journey is also about learning from the broader cultural diversity of Mesopotamia, including the many communities, languages and traditions that continue to shape the region today.

I did not fully learn about my Assyrian heritage until 2012, when my parents began sharing more about our family history and our connection to Hakkari in Southeast Türkiye, near the borders of Iraq and Syria. Since then, I have become increasingly interested in understanding the history, identity, and experiences of Assyrian communities across Mesopotamia.

Like many Assyrian families, my grandparents were deeply affected by the events of Sayfo in 1915, during which countless Assyrians were killed or displaced under the Ottman Empire. My family fled to Iraq, where they attempted to rebuild their lives after losing not only their homeland but also much of their documentation and connection to their village.

I was later told that my grandmother was eventually required to obtain Iraqi citizenship, partly due to fears of deportation back to Türkiye. Even after settling in Iraq, my family continued to experience challenges linked to identity and belonging. Although both my father and uncle worked as teachers and served in the military, they often felt limited by discrimination and a lack of recognition of their Assyrian background. Eventually, one immigrated to Australia and the other to Canada in search of greater stability and opportunity.

Growing up with these stories shaped my curiosity about history, migration, identity and resilience. This journey through Mesopotamia is not only a personal exploration of heritage, but also part of my broader interest in culturally informed and trauma-aware practice as a social worker in mental health.

Reflections on Culture, Identity and Future Practice

As a social worker working in mental health and currently undertaking further training towards therapeutic practice, the journey has also encouraged me to reflect on the importance of culturally informed and trauma-informed care. Learning more about migration, displacement, identity, and intergenerational experiences within Mesopotamian communities deepens my understanding of how culture, history, and belonging can shape mental health and well-being across generations.

While my own background is Assyrian, my goal is not to focus exclusively on one community, but to continue learning from the diverse cultures, histories, and lived experiences present across the region. I hope these experiences will contribute to more culturally responsive and inclusive practices in my future work as a therapist.

Writing and reflecting at DBD Hotel, Izmir, Türkiye, May 2026