Kuwait Times

How Kuwait’s society reacts towards mental health of teenage girls

- By Ghazal Al-Hisham Local@kuwaittime­s.com

As a now author, I have released my first book called “Navigating the storm”. This book dives into the challenges faced by teenage girls in Kuwait. What began as a school project transforme­d into a powerful tool to shed light on important issues affecting young women in our society. In Kuwait, conversati­ons about body image, cultural beauty standards, and the impact of social media on self-esteem are often brushed aside. But these are topics that need attention.

With “navigating the storm”, I aim to start these conversati­ons and provide support to teenage girls who may feel alone in their struggles. The inspiratio­n of this book came from numerous hours of research like watching videos and reading stories of young girls going through these issues, and obviously through my own experience­s and observatio­ns. As being a teenage girl in Kuwait, I’ve seen how girls see themselves. It’s not easy growing up in a world where perfection is constantly promoted, and I wanted to create something that could help girls navigate these challenges.

“Navigating the storm” is more than just a book, it’s a message of empowermen­t and solidarity. Through personal stories, practical advice, and words of encouragem­ent, I hope to show teenage girls in Kuwait that they are not alone in their struggles. It’s okay to talk about how you feel, and it’s okay to ask for help. One of the things that set “Navigating the storm” apart is its origin as a school project. What started as an assignment quickly became a passion project, as i realized the importance of addressing these issues in our society.

I’ve poured my heart and soul into this book, and I hope it will make a difference in the lives of teenage girls in Kuwait. In “Navigating the storm”, I tackle topics like body image issues, cultural beauty standards, and the pressure to fit in. I also discuss the impact of social media on self-esteem and offer the tools they need for building confidence and resilience. My goal is to provide teenage girls with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of adolescenc­e with strength and grace. I also want to challenge the stigma surroundin­g these topics.

In Kuwait, there is often a reluctance to talk about issues like body image and mental health. But by breaking the silence and speaking out, we can create a more supportive and understand­ing community for everyone. Through “Navigating the storm”, I hope to empower teenage girls in Kuwait to embrace their uniqueness and prioritize their well-being.

Beauty is not about conforming to impossible standards, it’s about being true to yourself and celebratin­g what makes you special. As I release my book to the world now, I am filled with hope and excitement for the impact it will have. I believe that by coming together and supporting one another, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future for all teenage girls in Kuwait.

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