• GRLbint

Darine Ammache is a clinical psychologist based in Lebanon and the founder & CEO of Mindsome. Mindsome App is a platform that provides a private space to express emotions with certified therapists online. See BIO to learn more about Mindsome services!

DOES THE CURRENT SITUATION IN LEBANON CONTRIBUTE TO MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?

The situation in Lebanon has immensely contributed to the increase of mental health problems. It’s the place where people struggle through getting their bare necessities. The economical, political, & financial instability that the Lebanese are going through are main factors that may furnish the grounds to have serious mental problems.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS THAT SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE IF THEY WANT TO SEEK THERAPY TREATMENT?

Almost 1 in 4 people will experience mental illnesses in their life. On the other hand, they are treatable, & there are several ways to find help. Seeking therapy is one of the best steps that a person with a mental health condition can take. However, it’s an effort that requires great strength & courage. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, start here. If there is an urgency in seeking help because someone could hurt themselves or others, calling the mental health hotline is the first step. Depending on each case, there are channels that can connect you to special therapists or hospitals. If it is not urgent, take time in discovering what it is that is troubling you & reflect on those feelings! You could just be having a bad week. Nonetheless, if the symptoms are severe or perseverant, then it is best to seek help & there are several things that you can do:

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  • Start talking. Talking about what is bothering you is a building block to start dealing with a mental health issue.
  • Find a trusted family member, friend, or health professional who will take time to listen to you.
  • See a GP if you’re worried. If needed, a GP can refer you for further treatment with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
  • Speak to a counselor over the telephone, in person, or online. You will speak to someone who understands what you're going through & guide you in what to do.
  • At last, try online counseling. There are applications that can help. Mindsome App for instance , is a platform that offers professional counseling & therapy catered to one’s specific needs, at any time & anywhere.

    • CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, MINDSOME?

    We offer a wide range of evidence based therapies with psychologists, psychiatrists, sexologists, & life coaches through a user-friendly application. It is highly encrypted & all sessions & accounts are confidential. If willing, the user can be anonymous. The services provided are video & phone calls in addition to unlimited messages including a journal feature where clients can write whatever they are experiencing at any time & place.

    HOW DO YOU THINK DIGITAL PLATFORMS CAN HELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH?

    In most parts of the world, & especially the MENA region, mental health still lacks the necessary significance it requires & is accompanied by a sort of shame.

    This stigma has encouraged people to visit these online platforms asking for therapy & confidentially receiving it from the comfort of their homes. Another aspect is how COVID has mandated many businesses to shift their processes online in order to maintain obligatory social distancing.

    Moreover, many studies have found that disclosing your worries to someone who doesn’t know you or see you can speed up the process of therapy. This helps patients break all the limits of hiding what goes on in their unconscious minds; an attempt that could take more time & resistance in traditional therapy.