‘IT’S OK TO TALK ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE UAE’
▶ Counsellor says changing times have stripped away the taboos
The changing image of mental health problems and erosion of stigmas attached to treatment are helping to turn around lives in the UAE like never before.
When counsellor Fadwa Lkorchy moved to the country 14 years ago from America, stigma and taboos surrounding mental illness were common.
The rise of social media has been given much of the blame for why young people appear to talk less and have become less active. Yet Facebook and Twitter have helped to break down traditional social barriers, mental health professionals said.
A key area is talking about mental health, depression and anxiety – with young people prepared to share their experiences more than before to get the help they need and move on with their lives.
“One of the biggest issues here is stigma around mental health. It is changing, and I am seeing more nationals and other people willing to take part in couple therapy,” Ms Lkorchy said.
“There is more acceptance now and they want to be more proactive rather than deal with things spiritually by reading the Quran. These problems won’t fix themselves, so they are more willing to talk about taboo subjects.”
Teenagers, in particular, are leading the way towards a more open society, she said.
“Young people are more defiant against these taboo subjects, and I find they want to talk about them,” Ms Lkorchy said.
“Social media has encouraged them to be more open, but some people can take on too much and self-diagnose.
“That can lead to teenagers getting the wrong messages and getting quite confused.”
There are support groups for depression and anxiety at the German Neuroscience Centre in Dubai Healthcare City.
One is aimed at those aged 19 to 40 and has a format for people to express their feelings and share their experiences about what helps them.
A second group, for Arab women, talks about family problems, personal development and parenting skills, while a third – which is for youths aged between 12 and 18 – helps them to cope with social or school pressure. They learn to set goals and deal with conflict management.
“I deal with bipolar issues and depression,” Ms Lkorchy said. “Some people did not accept these were problems in this region. Others just did not want to get help and would attribute it to other issues rather than depression or addiction.
“If it is not treated, it can lead to suicidal thoughts, which are also a taboo subject here. It can also be hereditary and can be rampant in families.”
One of those seeking help at the German Neuroscience Centre is Fatima, a middle-aged housewife with two children who was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder in her teenage years.
She has dealt with misdiagnosis, taboo and fear of social stigma.
“I’ve struggled all my life, on and off medication, until I started therapy last year,” Fatima said.
“It opened my world to taking back control over bipolar, instead of the other way around, understanding myself and gaining acceptance.”
The therapy included her family, so they gained more understanding of her moods and were able to give her the support she needed to become proactive instead of hiding Fatima’s guilt, shame and helplessness.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Fatima visited the support group for growth to find a way to leave the shadow of bipolar disorder. She also wanted to share her experience and help others to better understand the condition.
The support group is part of her treatment and she is writing a diary of her experience of living in the shadow of bipolar.
Each group runs once a month at the German Neuroscience Centre. For more information, visit www.gncdubai.com.
Young people are more defiant against these taboo subjects, and I find they want to talk about them