How the Arab world can tackle the invisible mental-health pandemic

How the Arab world can tackle the invisible mental-health pandemic

DUBAI: Of the Arab world's many problems exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, mental health is easily among the most insidious. Fortunately, one young Arab has made it his life's mission to help lead the conversation in the region and address the latent stigma surrounding feelings of depression and anxiety. The story begins a few years ago when Ally Salama, a 24-year-old Egyptian athlete, moved to Toronto, Canada, to pursue a university degree in entrepreneurship and innovation. Following a blissful childhood spent in Cairo and Dubai, Salama says, the move led to a dramatic change in his cultural surroundings, which left him feeling isolated and alone. "I made my first friend four and a half years after attending my first day of university," he told Arab News. "It was very hard. We're very culturally intelligent, but I didn't want to let go of my values. I could neither mix nor mingle. As a result, I lost my identity and my mind in a year and a half. I felt completely different physically, mentally and psychologically. It caused a lot of issues for me in university." Depression quickly set in. He recalls not being able to get out of bed or managing