Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Middle East Entrepreneurs: The Urgent Need for Support

Entrepreneurs in the Middle East: Taking mental health into account in the work environment is not a luxury

Thought management

• April 17, 2024

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Article by Omar Qudsi, CEO and Co-Founder of Arab Medicine.

The entrepreneurship scene in the Middle East and North Africa region is characterized by vigor and vitality, which reflects the great diversity of cultures that the region encompasses. With the boom seen by start-ups in various sectors, from technology to finance, entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa region have been at the forefront of innovation and economic change. While the entrepreneurial path is often romanticized for its great potential for success and innovation, it hides another side that is rarely talked about: the profound mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs. establishment.

Entrepreneurship, by its very nature, is a journey full of uncertainty, risk, and great stress. the public, often lies within. struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. There are several studies that have well-documented the mental health toll of being involved in the world of entrepreneurship, including an award-winning article published in 2013 in Inc. Magazine, has identified a mental health crisis among entrepreneurs that is often overlooked.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, these challenges are exacerbated by the unique social and political contexts involved in the region, and there are many factors that have created tension and psychological stress that aggravated and created more doubts and uncertainties among entrepreneurs, including, for example, the lack of stability in the region, economic fluctuations, and the consequences due to the events that the region has seen, such as the war in Gaza and the Covid-19 pandemic. Research conducted by Wamda on the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurs in the MENA region indicated a significant increase in stress levels, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support in this community.

Business founders experience higher levels of stress than the general population, and are twice as likely to suffer from depression. According to the report released by Wamda, it was found that 40% of business founders want support to improve their mental health from the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Recognizing this urgent need, a positive partnership was established between the platform “Arab Therapy”, which specializes in supporting mental health in the Arab world, and Flat6Labs, which is at the forefront of to accelerate start-up in the Middle East and North Africa region. This collaboration aims to provide support aimed at promoting mental health at the very beginning of the entrepreneurial system, and to provide business founders with the resources and support to overcome the mental challenges of rising in the world of entrepreneurship.

In this context, Dr. Tariq Dalbah, CEO of the Arab Therapy platform, says: “Entrepreneurs are the backbone and foundation of innovation, but they will not be able to change they want to bring about if they don’t get broad support with our partnership Flat6Labs aims to highlight the struggles entrepreneurs face with regards to their mental health “And provide a safe and supportive environment for them which allows them to seek help confidentially and without revealing their identity.

Ragia Abdel Ghaffar, Program Director at Flat6Labs, has a similar opinion, emphasizing the essential role of mental health in entrepreneurial success, explaining: “We have seen firsthand the impact that at the mental health struggle of business founders and their companies, and “Our collaboration with Arabi Therapy comes as a step forward.

The partnership provides tangible mechanisms to support entrepreneurs, including workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and digital resources specifically designed to address the specific challenges that arise when setting up and running a start-up, ensuring that business founders have the tools to deal with them. stress, overcome failure, and build resilience.

There is an urgent need to change the culture of entrepreneurship in the MENA region, remove the stigma associated with mental health struggles, and encourage business founders to talk openly about their experiences and seek help when need it.

Entrepreneurs in the MENA region need to be aware of the importance of their mental health, which is no less important than the success measures of their business. They also need to understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness This cultural shift is critical in building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in which business founders can thrive not only in their business ventures but also in their personal lives.

As the startup ecosystem in the MENA region continues to grow and evolve, the partnership between the platform Arab Therapy and Flat6Labs can be considered a model for changing support networks so that they can meet the broader needs of entrepreneurs.

Prioritizing mental health is key to paving the way for a new generation of entrepreneurial founders who are equipped not only with the skills needed to build successful businesses but also with the strength needed to withstand the psychological challenges of entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, the mental health problems faced by business founders in the MENA region represent a major challenge that requires a coordinated and compassionate response. The partnership between Arab Therapy and Flat6Labs represents a crucial step in addressing this issue, as the partnership provides the necessary support and resources, and more importantly, a ‘ creating a shift in the current attitude towards mental health in the business community. As this initiative accelerates, it promises to be a catalyst for building a more supportive, sustainable and mental health-promoting entrepreneurial environment in the MENA region.