SSSD celebrates World Mental Health Day

Many people still hold negative views about mental health issues, often because they don’t understand them, which stops them from seeking the help they need. The symposium, hosted by the SSSD's Wahat Al Rushd Center in partnership with the Sharjah Center for Learning Difficulties and the Al Sondos Center for Rehabilitation of People of Determination, aimed to improve awareness about how crises and emergencies can impact our mental health. It also focused on the significance of addressing mental health at work during difficult times.

Dr. Aida Hashim Mohammed, a psychotherapy consultant at the Social Services Department and a speaker at the event, praised the country's efforts in providing high-quality care for those with mental health issues. She pointed out the vital role that awareness plays in helping the community understand the support available.

Dr. Aida explained that mental illness can occur suddenly and may affect anyone, transforming their life due to trauma. Early support is essential to help individuals cope and reduce their pain and suffering. She outlined several important ways to address these challenges: Family Support, Families should listen without judgment, provide a safe space, help reduce stress, keep an eye on behavior changes, encourage seeking help when necessary, and create a comfortable home environment. Personal Awareness, Individuals should focus on understanding their feelings, acknowledge when they need help, learn coping strategies, stick to recovery plans, practice patience with themselves, and work on building their mental strength.

By fostering a supportive environment both at home and within the community, we can help more people manage their mental health effectively.

At the symposium, Dr. Amal Abdel Mawla, who leads the Al-Sondos Center for helping individuals with special needs, spoke about the importance of mental health. She stressed that mental health is just as important as physical health because it affects how we think, feel, and behave. Dr. Abdel Mawla encouraged everyone to embrace who they are, even when faced with challenges. She emphasized the importance of adapting to our surroundings and making the best use of our skills.

She listed some key elements of good mental health, which include feeling emotionally balanced, being able to handle stress, knowing ourselves well, having confidence, building strong relationships, making good choices, being socially skilled, feeling independent, being flexible in our thinking, and enjoying life.

Dr. Abdel Mawla explained that mental health goes beyond just not having mental illness; it's about finding a balance that helps us deal with life's challenges with ease. She noted that facing difficulties is a natural part of life, and learning how to cope with them leads to a happier and more satisfying life. Good mental health is also closely linked to physical health; for instance, ongoing stress and anxiety can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure and sleep problems.

To maintain good mental health, she suggested focusing on reducing stress rather than trying to eliminate it completely. It's essential to prioritize what matters, believe in your ability to change, take positive actions, and not get too caught up in how others react to you. Ultimately, it's about taking charge of your own choices and actions.

Huda Al Kaabi, a psychologist and personal development coach, kicked off her presentation by discussing the importance of mental health. She explained that there is a special day dedicated to it—World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every year on October 10th. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about mental health and emphasize the need for psychological support, especially during tough times like crises and disasters, which can put a lot of stress on both individuals and communities.

Huda described mental health as our ability to handle challenging situations and adapt to sudden changes while keeping a balance in our emotions and thoughts. She pointed out that the effects of crises can differ based on various factors, such as the type of event, the support people have around them, and how well they can adjust mentally. She wrapped up by saying that mental health is essential for building strength to face hardships and disasters. With awareness, support, and hope, we can overcome even the most challenging situations.

At a recent symposium, the fourth speaker, Wissam Jalal Al-Kilani, a psychologist from the Sharjah Center for Learning Difficulties, talked about an important issue: mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it. Stigma refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that society has toward people with mental health challenges. This can create fear of being judged, feelings of shame, and denial that there is a problem at all.

She shared the story of a student who struggled with psychological issues and faced bullying from his classmates because of his stuttering. This bullying made him withdraw from others and led to even more isolation. Unfortunately, as he went on to university, his challenges continued, causing him significant emotional distress, a loss of motivation, and a decline in self-confidence.

Another speaker at the event was Shaima Al Mazmi, who discussed her own journey with mental illness in a talk titled "Mental Illness Through the Eyes of a Recovering Mental Patient." Shaima shared that she, too, once faced mental health struggles but eventually overcame them. Now, she works as a content creator on social media and has even written a book about her experiences, along with a story called "The Teapot."

Shaima revealed that she was diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 23, which caused her to experience delusions that severely impacted her life. She felt as though she was constantly being watched and even reported her fears to her family and the police. This led to her being admitted to Al Amal Hospital, where she received treatment for five years. Fortunately, she responded well to the care she received and was able to fully recover.

Today, Shaima has completed her university studies, earned a master's degree, and is proud of her journey. She emphasizes that there should be no shame in having faced mental health issues and hopes her story will inspire others coping with similar challenges to seek help and find hope.