{"id":40287,"date":"2021-01-20T21:34:34","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T17:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/dubai\/en\/?p=40287"},"modified":"2021-01-20T23:57:49","modified_gmt":"2021-01-20T19:57:49","slug":"a-diagnosis-lead-to-the-launch-of-the-uaes-first-online-mental-health-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/dubai\/en\/community\/a-diagnosis-lead-to-the-launch-of-the-uaes-first-online-mental-health-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"A Diagnosis Lead To The Launch Of The UAE’s First Online Non-Profit Mental Health Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

You hear the phrase “you are not alone” when you’re going through a hard time and you may not even believe it. Sometimes the only thing you need to get you over that hurdle is knowing someone else has gone through it and overcame it.<\/p>\n

Since the start of 2019, the topic of mental health has gained awareness in the Middle East. Prior to that, having any sort of mental health issue was taboo and very much a hush hush situation. More and more people are coming forward, offering support and information to those seeking help.<\/p>\n

One person has decided awareness trumps everything and launched the first online non-profit mental health magazine in the UAE called Aware<\/h2>\n
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Growing up in Dubai, Omaya Michelle has always been told that she’s “overly sensitive” and had a short temper. You’d think at the age of 10, throwing temper tantrums was all it was, but she knew it stemmed from something else. Omaya is a 23 year old, Palestinian-American and an AUD graduate with a degree in Communication and Information Studies.<\/p>\n

After bullying at school and mental health deterioration, Omaya convinced her parents she needed to seek professional help at the age of 14. Much to her disappointment, the psychiatrist did not diagnose her and dismissed her behavior as “seeking attention.” That situation demotivated her from seeking professional help again.<\/p>\n

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I was convinced that no one would take me seriously and I was scared of what people would think of me if I had a diagnosis<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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A post shared by AWARE AE (@awareae_)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n