Mental illness can be isolating. As society always amplifies the significance of being resilient and strong, the moments when we are most vulnerable are often the loneliest. It is when you can’t get out of bed; you can’t function or go on with the rest of your day or tasks. You aren’t able to explain to anyone the pain you are feeling, or why you are not maintaining your relationships and friendships. When it reaches the moment that everything and everyone in your life is starting to drift away due to your illness, you realize that it isn’t a ‘weakness’ to seek help, and that the only way to get out of the loneliness of struggling with mental illness is to seek understanding from people and professionals. One of the main platforms working to de-stigmatize mental illness in the Arab world and create a safe and open space for conversation and knowledge sharing is ‘Al-Feel’. Produced by Storytel MENA, the original series “Al-Feel” features real life stories submitted anonymously by Arabs battling mental illnesses to help narrow the gap between professional help and those in need of it, and connecting…
Mental Health Not a Luxury: Arab Platform ‘Al Feel’ Uses Audio Stories to Teach and Heal
July 2, 2021
