Center for Gulf Studies Hosts Lecture on Mental Illness Awareness

The Center for Gulf Studies hosted a public lecture by Dr. Abeer Hamadah, founder of the MIND me (Mental Illness is Not Disabling me) Campaign. The campaign is an effort to end the stigma surrounding mental illness in Kuwait, to raise awareness about mental illnesses, and to support people who are struggling with mental illness.
 
Dr. Hamadah began by explaining the mission of the campaign and then talked about specific issues facing mentally ill people in Kuwait. One problem is that Kuwait has no mental health laws, so people may lose their jobs or stop receiving support from their families because of their illness. Another problem is the existing social stigma against mentally ill people which is the most significant barrier that prevents people from seeking help. One of the campaign’s main goals is to try and educate people about mental illness to help reduce the stigma.
 
After reviewing the broad issues that Kuwait faces, Dr. Hamadah spoke about what individuals should do to support those with mental illness. She cautioned audience members against using labels such as “panicky” or “depressed” to define themselves, since studies have shown that people tend to manifest the behaviors that their label dictates over time. Before ending her talk, she educated audience members on the four most common mental illnesses: anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar affective disorder, and highlighted the importance of seeking help when you think you need it.
 
After the lecture, Dr. Abdullah Alkhulifah from the Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network came onstage to tell people about the various services available for people with mental illnesses. He explained the importance of finding a therapist that is right for your needs and emphasized the fact that all services are confidential.
 
Following Dr. Alkhulifah’s presentation, there was a brief Q&A session with Dr. Hamadah. Students were excited about getting involved with the campaign and asked about how they could become volunteers.
   
Reflecting on the value of the event, Dr. Shareefa Al-Adwani, Director of the Center for Gulf Studies at AUK said, “The Center for Gulf Studies strives to spread awareness of and engage with local and regional NGOs, campaigns, and other civil society actors and groups. The founder of MIND me, Dr. Abeer Hamadah, in coordination with the Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network and with the fantastic support of doctors, administrators, volunteers, patients, and students, encourages and provides several avenues for the de-stigmatization of mental illness in our community. The free and open academic discussion of this important issue may promote greater understanding in our families, our neighborhoods, and our communities.”
 

MIND me Campaign Founder and speaker, Dr. Abeer Hamadah
 

General photo of the audience members at the lecture
 

Dr. Abdullah AlKhulifah from Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network
  

Audience member participating in the Q&A session