D. Al Hamada: A growing Bahraini role in tackling the social stigma associated with mental health

Revealing “You See Normal 5” goals on the occasion of World Mental Health Day..

The CEO and Medical Director of Silwan Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Abdul Latif Al Hamada said that the gradual shift in the understanding of mental health in Bahrain is considered a positive step towards improving psychological care for society, reinforcing with continuous efforts in health awareness , that Bahrain’s role in combating the social stigma associated with mental health is highlighted. .

He said that the celebration of World Mental Health Day under the slogan “Mental Health at Work” on October 10, 2024 highlights the importance of addressing the psychological stressors faced by employees in the workplace and the significant impact it has on mental and physical health, indicating that this topic is very relevant in the Gulf region, statistics show that work-related stress is increasing very much.

explained Dr. Al-Hamada said that according to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cause the loss of about 12 billion working days every year worldwide, costing about a trillion dollars to the world economy. resulting in lost productivity.

He continued that in the Gulf region, these challenges are clearly repeated, as a study carried out in 2023 in the UAE showed that 74% of workers feel pressure them at work. This number is believed to be representative of the entire Gulf region, where stress is increasing due to long working hours, high expectations, and challenges related to work-life balance.

According to the CEO and Medical Director of Silwan Psychiatric Hospital, chronic stress in the workplace not only affects mental health (such as depression and anxiety) but also extends to physical aspects, such as: cardiovascular disease People who suffer from chronic psychological stress are more likely to develop With heart disease. explained Dr. Al-Hamada said that stress at work causes insomnia and sleep problems, which in turn increases the risk of other physical diseases weakening immunity, making people more susceptible to physical diseases.

He recommended that employers in the Gulf and Bahrain adopt strategies that promote mental health at work, such as: creating an environment characterized by psychological and moral support that contributes to reducing stress levels. Providing counseling sessions or awareness campaigns on coping with stress. Giving employees more flexibility at work helps them to reduce stress.

Dr. Al-Hamada discussed that the latest internationally recognized treatment methods in the field of mental health reflect the trend towards a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to psychological care, combining traditional treatments with modern techniques and technological innovations. The most obvious of these methods are:

1. Esctamine therapy: This is one of the modern treatments that have been effective in treating depression against depression.

2. Genetic testing to personalize medication: This technology uses genetic analysis to determine how a person’s body responds to psychiatric medications, which helps in choosing the most effective medications. effective and reduces side effects.

3. Nutritional psychology: It examines the relationship between nutrition and mental health, because research shows that eating a healthy diet can contribute to improving mental health.

4. Peer support networks: It is responsible for sharing experiences between individuals who suffer from similar psychological problems, because they support and guide each other. Peer support networks are effective; Because it relies on shared understanding and deep empathy, which provides a safe environment to express feelings and concerns.

Dr. Al-Hamada said that these modern methods represent a development in the field of mental health, as users can combine traditional treatments such as medicines and psychotherapy with technological solutions and scientific innovations to improve the results get the best for patients.

He also said that it is important to note that the gradual shift in the understanding of mental health in Bahrain is considered a positive step towards improving psychological care in the community. With continued efforts in health awareness, Bahrain’s role in combating the social stigma associated with mental health has been highlighted.

He said that the Silwan Hospital for Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment has emphasized itself to spread health awareness about mental illnesses among the society and change the negative attitude and stigma that worry about mental illness.

It continued as a result of the hospital’s sense of social responsibility and its role in supporting the government sector to eliminate the stigma that afflicts patients with mental illness, the campaign “You See It’s Normal” ”, an awareness campaign launched five years ago with the aim of reducing the social stigma associated with mental illness, and correcting misconceptions about mental health and psychiatry .

Regarding the objectives of the campaign, he said they include:

1- Changing the negative attitude towards mental illnesses and increasing understanding of them as natural illnesses like other physical illnesses.

2- Encouraging individuals to seek psychological help without fear or hesitation.

3- Spreading awareness about the importance of mental health and its role in building a healthy and productive society.

4- Supporting government and private institutions and encouraging their members to visit psychiatry – this is in line with the content of the World Mental Health Day theme, which considers the effects of stress psychological at work on the mental and physical health of the individual. .

This year’s campaign “You See Normal 5” comes in the form of a cultural competition in general information between students of public and private universities. The following universities take part in this competition:

1 – University of Bahrain

2- National University

3- Polytechnic University

4- British University

5- Arab Open University

The students will compete for the Silwan Hospital Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment Cup This competition will take place in October 2024, and the winning teams will be celebrated at a special ceremony which will include honoring the universities as well as a special art exhibition for the students. and some of the psychiatric patients who were treated in Silwan and got rid of their mental illnesses.

Dr. Hamada said that those in charge of Silwan Psychiatric Hospital are responsible for awareness campaign and the campaign to educate and educate the community about mental illnesses. and that mental illness is a “normal” illness like other organic diseases.

He explained that “going often to a psychiatrist and seeking treatment should not be an obsession, a challenge or a fear for patients, so the name came from the heart of Bahraini society and the Gulf to be ‘You see it’s normal’ to tell everyone you see. it’s normal: to go to the psychiatrist, and mental illness is not something to be ashamed of.” You see, it’s normal. We find mental illness and ‘ talk about without doubt or fear of mental illness and I am not ashamed to take my medication Yes, I suffer with my partner… and my family and my work in a healthy and positive environment. you see mental illness as normal.”