Embracing mental illnesses across the MENA region

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Embracing mental illnesses across the MENA region
Dr. Ziad Nahas, Co-founder and President of Embrace

Embrace - a Lebanese NGO - Working to break the silence and stigma around mental illness and suicide, recently launched the first suicide prevention and emotional support helpline in the Arab region. Embrace - a Lebanese NGO - Working to break the silence and stigma around mental illness and suicide, recently launched the first suicide prevention and emotional support helpline in the Arab region.

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Published: Tue 24 Apr 2018, 12:20 PM

Last updated: Tue 24 Apr 2018, 2:25 PM

What started off as a grassroots movement in 2013, led by individuals united by a common cause - to break the stigma around mental health in Lebanon and the Middle East - has today become a full-fledged non-governmental organisation (NGO) called Embrace. The team had to start small, as the topic of mental illness continues to be considered a taboo, despite the alarming numbers that indicate millions of people suffering from some form of mental illness regionally and globally.
The mission has been challenging, as mental health issues and the topic of suicide are typically not discussed openly across the MENA region. However, as a result of the efforts of the NGO and other organisations across the Middle East, the stigma surrounding mental illness is slowly starting to fade. Today, Embrace serves as an awareness support network, specialised in mental health and suicide prevention in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Globally, mental health is a growing topic of concern, with millions who suffer from mental illnesses, and over 800,000 people who die of suicide every year, based on figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO also estimates that for every one death by suicide, there may be more than 20 others who have attempted suicide. In the case of Lebanon, studies show that one in every four people will most likely suffer from some form of mental illness through their lifetime. If left untreated, this translates into a shocking reality - on average every 3 days one person dies of suicide in Lebanon, and every six hours, one person attempts suicide.
While these figures may not seem high compared to global figures, they may underestimate the actual suicide rates. Prevailing religious, legal, and social issues that surround suicide often result in the mislabelled cause of death as natural, accidental, or undetermined, especially in the MENA region. Furthermore, these figures do not reflect the number of individuals who experience suicidal ideation - that is thinking about dying or passively wishing that one is dead. The WHO estimates these numbers to be 10 to 20 folds higher. Across the MENA region, statistics related to mental illnesses and suicide are not actively recorded or reported. Without accurate reporting, it is difficult to build programmes of awareness, prevention and treatment.
The Embrace team decided to take on this challenge and set up the first National Suicide Prevention and Emotional Support Helpline in Lebanon and the Middle East, called the Embrace Lifeline. The driving force is the belief that people from all walks of life are at risk of suicide. Those fortunate enough, find a way through. The first objective, leading up to the launch of the Embrace Lifeline, was to get people to start talking, to break the silence that exists. Hence, the creation of a campaign under the headline of "Talking saves lives". All Embrace's efforts were aimed at igniting the conversation around mental health and illness and encourage the Lebanese community to break the silence around this societal taboo and send their messages of support to those affected by suicide.
In order to achieve a nationwide spread of messages and support, Embrace had to work with local authorities and municipalities across Lebanon, to ensure that people across the entire nation feel a sense of inclusion. As such, Embrace closely collaborated and aligned their efforts with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, National Mental Health Programme to ensure that its services are part of the country's national mental health strategy. In parallel, Embrace is now a member of Befrienders Worldwide, an expanding global network of 349 emotional support centres in 32 countries, spanning five continents.
Today, over 45 professionally trained and supervised volunteer operators answer calls throughout the day and into the early hours of the night, from individuals with questions on mental illness, those suffering silently, and friends and family concerned about their loved ones. The Embrace Lifeline operators have gone through rigorous training by international professionals, and supervised by professionals, practice active listening skills, suicide risk assessment and crisis management and intervention with every call received. At present, in its first year of operation, the Embrace Lifeline received calls from 12 pm till 2 am, with plans to expand to a 24/7 operation in the following years. But this cannot be made possible without community support and fundraising, which have come from individual donors, organisations and people passionate about the cause, who understand the dire need to have such a service for people to have access to. 
For the message to spread and in order to get people talking about their struggles, a community-led effort is needed. And so, Embrace's efforts are also focused on helping individuals and their loved ones identify the main triggers and signs of depression, one of the most common mental illnesses. The signs, which can start early on, can include feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, an individual losing interest in daily activities, unexplained changes in appetite, interrupted sleeping patterns or oversleeping, an evident withdrawal from social activities, feelings of guilt and even unexplained bodily pain. If detected early on, the path to recovery becomes a bit easier, with the right support.
Embrace's mission continues to lead the NGO forward, to ensure people with mental illnesses are respected, empowered, and able to access appropriate care without the constraints of lack of knowledge, shame or limited resources. It strives to achieve this mission by focusing on positive representation, supportive community programmes, alliances with policymakers and financial assistance.
The Embrace team believes that mental illness is treatable and suicide is preventable. Join the movement to break the silence around a topic that may impact every other person you know.
- Fatima Abbas


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