A recently graduated high school student decided to start a campaign to raise awareness on mental health issues and to try and put an end to the discrimination and “mark of shame” associated with mental illness here in Kuwait. The student set up a website with a ton of information on the different types of mental illnesses as well as information on how you can help. So please show your support by visiting the website [Here]
26 replies on “Be Aware Campaign”
This is an honorable thing to do by this person. Changing Kuwaiti (and Eastern peoples) people’s thinking and false perceptions regarding mental health issues is very important for the social advancement of this part of the world. Although I don’t think he will reach a huge audience if his website stays written in English only. He needs someone’s help to translate the content into Arabic.
I’m a Kuwaiti, and I suffer from ADHD. I’m god damn proud of it!
ADHD a made up disorder for kids that need an excuse not to pay attention 😛
No its not. I didn’t get treated for it until like 2 months ago.
And there is a adult diagnoses
dude, I was joking. I thought it was apparent with the “:P” at the end.
It’s idiots like you that should be ashamed of themselves. I hope God doesn’t punish your children by giving them ADHD because of your idiocy. You are ignorant. I hope karma serves you right.
Lighten up maybe? Not everything you read online is meant to be taken seriously. It’s called a joke.
Another thing. What’s with the need to attack me? What’s with the aggression? Next time you see something you disagree with, you shouldn’t attack the person. Educate them. Calling strangers and “punishing” their children? Seriously?
Bravo!!!
I’m happy that somebody finally decided to regard us as human beings and not the demonic outcasts we were socially pressured to believe so.
I’m a Kuwaiti with OCD and psychosis.
Great site and GREAT IDEA! It is very unfortunate the stigma that is attached with disorders and I think it’s wonderful that your site is helping break them down and educate people! well done!
Just one suggestion in terms of web design, I like that banner on top (celebrities with disorders), I just find it distracting when Im trying to read through the site…maybe slow it down or only keep it on the homepage? Also translating your site into arabic will definitely reach more people!
Good luck with everything! 🙂
ohhh Waaaw,, what a GREAT idea,, I’m a Junior student, taking PSYC classes and thinking to minor it,, especially after a visit to the Mental Medicine Hospital conducted by our Prof.. I started personally raising awareness with people around me,, coz usually this thing is associated with a degree of shame,,, people need to understand that mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do.
Mental illnesses are still feared and misunderstood by many people, but the fear will disappear as people learn more about them and be more capable to deal with it. It is human nature to fear what we don’t understand.. So good luck in your campaign and I can offer my hand of help 🙂
P.S By the way, I agree with Mariam’s comment of the top banner,, you really need to slow it down,, at least the memory can scan it,,
Wow! Thanks for the positive comments!
We are working on translating the information, and I thanks for telling me about the banner, we will slow it down
His idea is amazing mashallah! More people should be aware of this!
Well done. they recently had a commentary on BBC about mental health in China, and how it was taboo to speak of and how families would think it is as a curse.
thankfully we do not have such thoughts in Kuwait, but the stigma against this, starting with acceptance by the family at home, then friends, then society in general, must be addressed.
This is a great initiative to change perception, we are all human and thus not perfect. My understanding is that very few hospitals if any are specialized in such treatments, it would be helpful if a list of such establishment is published.
I only know like one or two hospitals that only have psychologists (al seef is one of them) and a psychiatric office in salmiya (I think its near candian medical center) Youll find stuff in the newspaper sometimes as well…
Wow! Goodluck with everything and keep up with the good work 🙂
Great idea and hope everyone support them
Keep the good work ya Beaware.Nice webiste but need transaltion asap.
بالكويتي:هل في اعتقادكم نشر الوعي سوف يؤدي الى تغيير نظره الناس في عالمنا العربي الى الأمراض النفسيه هل في واحد فيكم يقبل الزواج من انسان مصاب بالشيوزوفرينيا؟
اقتراحي : باضافه جزء أو تسليط الضوء وتوعيه الناس أن الروحه عند بعض وليس كل المشايخ اللي يطلعون على شاشات التلفاز ويمسكون الناس ويكفخونهم ويلسعونهم بالخيازرين تحت مسمى الطب البديل مو الحل
I have a mentally disabled uncle who almost died because some dude in Oman decided to poor oil down his nose to soften his brain…
Not sure if that’s funny or sad.
What we need is a culture that does not dismiss mental illness as superstition (once a doctor told me she doesn’t believe in depression).
Don’t suffer in silence, get help, get healthy.
اقتراح الثاني :بتخصيص جزء للأطفال لتوعيتهم لأن الوعي يبدأ من الطفوله
Mental illness in the middle east is rarely addressed. Middle-easterners (especially here in kuwait) attribute ‘mental disorders’ to be the result either magic, the evil eye, or demonic possession. Schizophrenics are paraded on tv with some quack who is actually in greater need of mental treatment than the patient. Having trouble with the wife — no doubt someone put a spell. Fired from your job because of incompetence — the evil eye was the cause. Feel depressed lately, let me take you to the witch doctor and have him drive the demons out by spitting on you a couple times. Don’t worry , you’ll be good as new by the morning 🙂 . The dark ages of europe have nothing on us. ولله خرطي
Walla I think this is a great idea. I hope people spread this website around. The view people have of mental disorders is very backwards in Kuwait. Hopefully people will eventually understand that having a mental disorder doesn’t just mean someone is CRAZY and includes a lot of things, and that more than likely at least one person they know has one. And that there is help and treatment…
I guess the other main issue that needs awareness in Kuwait is child abuse. I’ve heard stories here and there…and some of what I hear really baffles the mind. I mean, when your child complains about abuse, you cover it up or ignore? Because the abuser was a relative? What? And it gets worse.
*sigh*
Allah kareem.
Hello,
We are looking for Kuwaitis with a mental illness who are willing to star in an advertisement that portrays them as heroes for admitting they have an illness and are trying to fight the stigma associated with it.
If anyone is interested, contact us at [email protected]
thank you
3affya 3affya 3affya 3affya! God I hope this goes far far far.
For one, I know that I will be a part of changing mental perception sooner or later in the country. I cant wait to see the results. I cant wait!
Thank YOU BE AWARE you are marvelous. Inshala this is one brick out of many more to come.