{"id":5640,"date":"2022-04-05T14:12:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T14:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/?p=3832"},"modified":"2023-07-07T07:10:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T07:10:51","slug":"the-stigma-the-struggles-the-shame-an-interview-with-nour-abou-fayad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/the-stigma-the-struggles-the-shame-an-interview-with-nour-abou-fayad\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stigma, the Struggles, the Shame: An Interview with Nour Abou Fayad"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5640\" class=\"elementor elementor-5640\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-828050e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"828050e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c2f98b\" data-id=\"8c2f98b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cbcd92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8cbcd92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><i>Editor\u2019s note: <\/i><\/b>Your mental health is important; do not ignore it. We urge you to seek help or talk to someone. If you are suffering from mental health issues or are having suicidal thoughts, please seek assistance immediately and reach out to the national helpline or suicide hotline in your country of residence. Know that you are not alone, no matter where you are in the world.\u00a0 Below are some of the numbers of such hotlines around the world:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Lebanon, Embrace Lifeline, Ph: 1564<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The United Arab Emirates (UAE), National Committee for the Promotion of Mental Health, Ph: 920 033 360<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The United States of America, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Ph: 1 800 273 8255<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Canada, The Canada Suicide Prevention service, Ph: 1 833 456 4566<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Australia, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lifeline.org.au\/\">Lifeline<\/a>, Ph: 131 144 or Suicide Call Back Service, Ph: 1300 659 467 or <a href=\"http:\/\/beyondblue.org.au\/\">Beyond Blue<\/a>, Ph: 1300 22 4636<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">France, Suicide \u00c9coute, Ph: 01 45 39 40 00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-179c3b5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"179c3b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33bced7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33bced7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>The Complete Opposite of Everything &#8211; <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/en\/book\/show\/53140017-the-complete-opposite-of-everything\"><b>An Excerpt<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><i>\u201cAdam does not get scared.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>He just doesn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>He doesn\u2019t overthink, he doesn\u2019t second-guess himself, and he most certainly does not cry.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Yet<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>That\u2019s all he\u2019s been doing lately.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>He\u2019s a mess and he just can\u2019t seem to get it together.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>His friend, Rami, is no help.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Nobody is.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Until<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>Yasmin comes along to reconnect with her homeland. She\u2019s been away for too long. She needs to know her roots.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>And she\u2019s the one person who understands what Adam\u2019s going through, even when he doesn\u2019t.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>But can two people, both with minds that can\u2019t fully be trusted, help each other navigate the other\u2019s journey towards self-discovery?<\/i><i>\u201d<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-32d51a7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"32d51a7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e6f02c9\" data-id=\"e6f02c9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58741f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"58741f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?fit=450%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10704\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1.webp?resize=70%2C70&amp;ssl=1 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4041653\" data-id=\"4041653\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1046da elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a1046da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"453\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?fit=453%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10705\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?w=453&amp;ssl=1 453w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?resize=300%2C298&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2.webp?resize=70%2C70&amp;ssl=1 70w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a9fe3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a9fe3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i>Credits: The Complete Opposite of Everything,<\/i> <i>Nour Abou Fayad\u2019s<\/i><i> debut New Adult novel. <\/i><br \/>Photos courtesy of Nour Abou Fayad<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-258ea35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"258ea35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>The Book and the Important Issues It Raises<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>What mental health issues do you tackle in your book, <\/b><b><i>The Complete Opposite of Everything<\/i><\/b><b>?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The book predominantly focuses on anxiety and depression and also touches on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>What inspired you to write the book?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>My own struggle with crippling anxiety and depression. I spent 2 to 3 years navigating this tumultuous world of intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, and perpetual dread alone. It tore me apart imagining someone else going through that too. The utter loneliness I felt at the lowest moments was something I didn\u2019t want anyone else to have to experience. This book is what I needed back then. So I wrote it for the rest of the Nours and Adams struggling right now.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0251fe4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0251fe4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/3.webp?fit=800%2C306&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10706\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/3.webp?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/3.webp?resize=300%2C115&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/3.webp?resize=768%2C294&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credits: Screenshot of one of the reviews on Nour Abou Fayad\u2019s novel The Complete Opposite of Everything on Goodreads.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a35400b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a35400b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>One reader wrote the following review about your book on <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/en\/book\/show\/53140017\"><b>Goodreads<\/b><\/a><b><i>, <\/i><\/b><b>\u201c<\/b><b>I love how it makes you feel, even if it\u2019s to a somewhat lesser extent, that you are not alone, at least in the way you think (or overthink [for] that matter) at times when you feel the loneliest and the most scared.\u201d <\/b><b>Could you please elaborate on the power of feeling less alone when someone is battling mental illness?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Having a mental illness feels so isolating at times. The illness itself tricks you into thinking you\u2019re all alone, convincing you that no one in the entire world will ever understand the storm raging inside your mind. You have no idea how loud my sigh of relief was when I started discovering others like me. The illness is so invisible and due to societal pressures, you want to make it even more so, and to make matters worse, you yourself don\u2019t even know how or where to seek help because you have no idea how to show or explain what you\u2019re going through to anyone. With more visible physical ailments such as a headache or a broken arm, people know how to relate more, or at least think they can. So, what I want people to take away from this is to listen. Listen to those who are saying they are not okay. That\u2019s how you make someone feel less alone. That\u2019s how they start rising. The more of a safe space you create for them to speak up in, the more likely they will be heard by others who are struggling in the same way. The more awareness that subsequently gets out there, the more the drive to support, to battle, to treat, and most importantly the less of the shame and guilt.<br \/><br \/><\/p>\n<p><b>When you were writing the book were you concerned that readers wouldn\u2019t be able to relate to the story and possibly some of the characters?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think that was at the top of my list of concerns because I was so laser-focused on getting the message of the importance of mental health across. I knew the readers would either be those who are dealing with mental health issues, those who know someone dealing with mental health issues, and\/or those who are somewhat in the dark about anything pertaining to mental illness. The way the book was written makes it easy to relate to the characters in one way or another, whether through their nationality, inner thoughts and turmoil, or life circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-631d5a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"631d5a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/4.webp?fit=300%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10707\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/4.webp?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/4.webp?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credits: Photo by Stormseeker on Unsplash<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b38aea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b38aea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>In your book, Adam\u2019s psychologist plays a crucial role in understanding what Adam is experiencing. <\/b><b>How challenging was it to write from a therapist\u2019s perspective while being accurate with and respectful of the advice that the therapist in the book gives?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I had a basic understanding of psychology and really picked up on how a therapy session flows from my own experience with a psychiatrist and psychologist. But with something as crucial and sensitive as this, I can\u2019t pretend to know half of the proper techniques, so I enlisted the help of clinical psychologists Sandra Khalil and Anita Papas. They looked over the text, suggested edits to certain phrases, and gave their own take on how they would handle the sessions Adam attends.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Based on how you were supported or would have liked to have been supported, do you have any advice for parents on how to help their children struggling with mental health? And more specifically in Lebanese families?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>First, I think we have to break down the stereotype that kids and teenagers don\u2019t understand themselves yet and are overreacting. Yes, I do believe that during your adolescent years your hormones are all over the place, but that doesn\u2019t negate the fact that there can be a struggle with mental illness at play in parallel. Listen to your kids. Whether they\u2019re 5, 15, or 25, listen to them. I repeat this more adamantly for Lebanese parents.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Children have inherited their parents\u2019 traumas from the civil war. They are also collecting their own with each passing political unrest period, and are currently living through one of the worst crises this country has ever been through, one that witnessed an astronomical explosion for such a small piece of geography. It would be a miracle if they came out of this alone with their mental well-being intact. If you don\u2019t know much about mental health issues, the internet is your research oyster. There is access to an influx of verified information and all it takes is an open mind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7ac3d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b7ac3d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"674\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5.webp?fit=674%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10708\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5.webp?w=674&amp;ssl=1 674w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5.webp?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credits: Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1582d37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1582d37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>A key theme of your book is relationships and mental health. How much does it affect our thoughts and feelings? How can one best support a partner that is struggling with mental illness? When should they take a step back?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I can only speak from my experience with relationships and mental illness. At the start of any relationship, my anxiety would sound the warning bells if my new partner so much as breathed in a similar fashion as an ex did, picking up on patterns between previous partners to save me the trouble of discovering that this current one is just like the rest of them. What I\u2019ll say about this is what I often have to remind myself &#8211; be patient with both yourself and your partner. They are a whole other person with a different upbringing, thoughts, and life experiences. Learn to discern between false alarms and real red flags. It takes practice, but you\u2019ll get the hang of it in time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As for your significant other struggling with mental illness, I urge you to listen to your partner, without judgment, and with an intent to really listen rather than replying with your own assessment. Do your research on what they\u2019re struggling with, be it anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, etc. And also, don\u2019t take the illness personally. Finally, when you notice any signs of self-abusive behavior or potential self-harm, your support is needed. However, there are times where you need to step back, especially when you\u2019re slipping into the role of an enabler rather than a supportive loved one. It is important to keep in mind that at the end of the day you are not their therapist and are in no position to handle a serious illness alone.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>What would you like the readers to remember most once they finish reading your book?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I want them to remember a lot of things, to be honest. First, just because you can\u2019t see it, doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t exist. It exists and it\u2019s very real. Also, believe people when they speak up about their struggles. You won\u2019t lose brownie points for being understanding; you\u2019ll lose them for being dismissive. Above all else, I want readers to remember to be a little bit kinder and a bit more patient.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Do you have any upcoming literary work in the pipeline? If so, are you able to tell us more about it?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Yes, I do! I\u2019m still in the research phase and it\u2019s a bit difficult juggling that with a full-time job, but I will eventually get the book done. I think I can tell you that the book is on the fantasy side, but does, of course, have mental health as one of the central themes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-212ff9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"212ff9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"584\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5-1.webp?fit=584%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10709\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5-1.webp?w=584&amp;ssl=1 584w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/5-1.webp?resize=300%2C231&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credits: Photo by Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1053e26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1053e26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Breaking Taboos Around Mental Health in Lebanon<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>You consider yourself a mental health activist. Why do you find it important to shed light on mental health and openly talk about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When I started talking about mental illness around 8 years ago, it was because I wanted to have an outlet for myself. No one was discussing it, no one was even admitting to it, and I felt so incredibly alone. I just wanted to write down the noise going on in my mind and try to make sense of it. So when I started posting on my old blog and Facebook page, people started responding, either with encouragement and kind words or with their own experiences. That\u2019s when I discovered the hidden world of mental illness in Lebanon, so tucked away in the deepest, darkest corners that you would think you\u2019d imagined it at first. The more I talked about it, the less alone I felt. So I made it my unofficial mission to trample on the loneliness that others feel when struggling with their mental health. I hated the stigma around it, the stigma that stopped me from seeking help when my anxiety and depression were at their worst and barely manageable. I didn\u2019t want anyone to be in the position I found myself in \u2013\u00a0 lonely, confused, and scared. That\u2019s why I think talking about mental illness is crucial. The walls, prejudices, and stigma around it need to be broken down because for something that is so common and normal, it isn\u2019t that normalized.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why do you think it\u2019s so difficult to openly discuss our mental health issues, even with those closest to us?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are a slew of reasons, but I can chalk it up to two main ones, at least in my case. One, our brain is already so confused, loud, and nonsensical. You have no clue where to start and your thoughts are all over the place so how can you even begin to explain what\u2019s going on? Especially when you\u2019re juxtaposing it with reason number two \u2013 social taboos. All around the world, the idea of mental illness has always been shrouded in stigma, misinformation, and inhumane acts against those who suffer from it. The media came along and that didn\u2019t help much, with drama movies about geniuses riddled with depression, bipolar disorders, and ultimately insanity. To me, it\u2019s a cocktail of these, and the fear people have of the idea that the very faculty that leads you through life, taking decisions, feeling your emotions, and driving you to act in certain ways, is no longer in your control. That fear is then projected onto those who are actually suffering.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-118e9fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"118e9fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/6.webp?fit=675%2C450&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10710\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/6.webp?w=675&amp;ssl=1 675w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/6.webp?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Credits: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8835a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8835a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>In your personal experience, what is the best way to support a loved one who is suffering from mental health issues? How do you think one should go about suggesting professional help since it is such a sensitive issue?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The most important thing is to let them know that you are a safe space. Allow them to talk about what\u2019s on their mind as much as they want, but don\u2019t diagnose them yourself or doubt them. You\u2019re just there to listen and be a helping hand. It takes a lot of courage to openly discuss thoughts that lie to you and tell you they are shameful. Research their illness as thoroughly as possible to better understand it and pinpoint the warning signs faster.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As for how to broach the subject of professional help, make sure you\u2019re doing it in private and in a safe space. Remind them you care about them and want to see them happy and healthy. Remember, your wording is very important. If you yourself went through mental health issues and sought professional help, share that with them if you feel comfortable enough. Lastly, offer to help them search for a therapist that suits them; it gets overwhelming to know where to start, especially in their state.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>Have you noticed any changes in the way that the Lebanese are addressing mental health?<br \/><br \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Oh, definitely. Again, 8 years ago, barely anyone was talking about mental health. In less than a decade, awareness surrounding it has skyrocketed and people are now more educated on the subject. After the COVID-19 pandemic and especially after the events of August 4, the need for a proper mental health discussion was pivotal, because people were traumatized, triggered, and grappling with anxiety, depression, and PTSD brought on by the Beirut blast. That\u2019s not to say that we don\u2019t have our shortcomings; we still have a long way to go, but we are indeed getting there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor\u2019s note: Your mental health is important; do not ignore it. We urge you to seek help or talk to someone. If you are suffering from mental health issues or are having suicidal thoughts, please seek assistance immediately and reach out to the national helpline or suicide hotline in your country of residence. Know that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[164,13],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-5640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-issue-4","category-mental-health","tag-interview"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/al-rawiya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/jjhjhjklll.jpeg?fit=1600%2C1066&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5640"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10713,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions\/10713"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/al-rawiya.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}