Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Director
Company: Heartland Alliance International
Location: Iraq
How did you get into this work? I have been always interested in human psychology and mental health. I graduated from university in 2006 and started working in the private sector, which I did not enjoy, so I decided to look for something that will nurture my passion. I started working at an international humanitarian organization in my home country Jordan. I decided to work on my knowledge and skills to be able to be part of helping and empowering people who have experienced trauma in their lives. I I obtained a master degree in clinical psychology in 2014 that added to my knowledge and skills.
Why is this work important to the community and those we serve? I think if we do this work with passion magic can happen, even though we do not have magic sticks as humanitarian workers but the community we are serving can sense your passion and caring in times of emergencies, if we believe in the change it can truly happen.
Was there a moment where you knew you were in the right job? Yes, a moment from a case in 2012. She was a victim of rape and war trauma. I had been working with her, implementing psychological interventions to ease her symptoms. After some time, she wrote me a beautiful poem to thank me. And at that moment, I knew that this was my passion and that this is what I want to continue doing. Now after years of working in this field, I am managing mental health programs and I always use this story from 2012 when I talk to my team about passion and loving what you do.
What is your favorite part of your job? At this specific stage of my career, I enjoy working with newly trained psychologists, helping them pull empowerment from the work that they do.
How can others get involved in your work? I believe in volunteering in the community, it can help people discover a lot about themselves.
Why is mental health awareness so important, particularly during COVID-19? I firmly believe there is no health without mental health! We should focus on investing in our psychological wellbeing, so we’re able to identify and respond to symptoms that might erupt, especially during times of distress. COVID-19 has caused many people to experience anxiety for the first time, so knowledge is key.
How do you practice self-care or preserve your mental health well-being? Any tips for our readers? This is a very beautiful and important question. I usually make sure to spend time with myself each day, take breaks, listen to relaxing music, and do everything possible to avoid burn out. Whenever I feel stressed, I go for a swim because I find that water washes away all my negative thoughts.
