- ABC of Mental Health
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- ABC of Mental Health
Hello! Welcome to another edition of the ABC of Mental Health, your partner in the journey to better mental health — one newsletter at a time. This week’s theme is Geopolitics and Mental Health. We bring it to your inbox this Thursday to make your Thursday a little therapeutic!
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One relevant recommendation:
A Poem: First They Came – By Pastor Martin Niemoller
“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me”
Some quotes from survivors of the Gaza genocide:
(this time we couldn’t pick just two)
Wassinn, a 2nd grade student:
"I want to die because we have nothing to eat or drink. I am tired of living because of the war."
Asmaa Hindi, 22, recounts how her father was shot at home, and died:
“I grabbed my father by the legs and dragged him with great difficulty out of the line of fire. He was hit by three bullets: one in the chest, one in the stomach, and the third, which caused the worst injury, was in the left hip. His intestines were exposed. I got a clean piece of cloth and put it on the wound. He told me to leave him, as if he knew he was going to die and there was no way to save him.”
A 32-year-old from Gaza City, Hazem on losing his wife and four-month-old baby when a relative’s home was bombed:
I have no family left. We were just starting out as a family. We were happy together. On 13 October, we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. All I have left are our two wedding rings, which I’m keeping. I have no other mementos. All the photos and videos are gone. Our clothes, my wife’s and daughter’s belongings, all gone. My house in Gaza City was completely destroyed by the bombing. It was bombed just one day before I left the city. All my memories with my family are gone forever.
Afaf Alnajjar, 21, a Palestinian student at the Islamic University of Gaza in Gaza City:
I’ve reached a point where I can’t dream of anything but war and destruction. I've started hearing voices, I’ve started seeing things. It feels like we’re just waiting for our turn. It seems like we’re dead, but our death is pending. It’s on pause until an airstrike comes and attacks us.
Tala Herzallah, 21, a student & English Instructor at the Islamic University in Gaza:
No words can describe the situation that we are living in right now. There is blood everywhere. Bad news everywhere. We are just counting our days, let me not say days, but minutes, till death. Because each minute we may die, we may be killed. I lost my cousin and her children. I lost my friend. I’m losing my beloveds.
Three TherapyShorts from TST (on understanding geopolitics)
No one is free until everyone is: This famous quote is so important to remember especially in the context of the ongoing attacks on Gaza which impact not just them, but people all across the globe. The immense human suffering, torn-apart families, and destroyed communities demand our empathy and recognition of their pain. They not only affect people there but also cause a global ripple effect such as economic instability, international tensions, etc. The only way to resolve these and ensure peace is through compassion and solidarity. Realizing that oppression anywhere and everywhere (despite different shapes, forms) needs to be resisted is a common starting point we can build on.
Social media vs actual on-ground work: While social media plays a great role in spreading awareness, that is not nearly enough. To truly make a difference, it is important to look for charities, NGOs, doing work on the ground and see how we can contribute. We can spread awareness, rally funds, and hold our representatives accountable for advocating change. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but we need to start somewhere. Here are some charities doing great work in Gaza: Oxfam, Anera, UNRWA.
War’s impact on the oppressor and the oppressed: War impacts both the oppressed and the oppressor. It impacts the oppressed by inflicting physical suffering, loss of life, freedom and rights, access to basic necessities and bringing about immense fear. However, it also dehumanises the oppressor and brings about moral and economic injury. Overall, war can also have a devastating impact on the nation at large.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THIS WEEK
Here are some unbiased and credible sources of news that not only respect the dignity and humanity of those suffering but also enable a more compassionate and nuanced reporting of the events:
The Middle Eastern Eye
It is an online London based Independent news website covering the Middle East and North Africa region.
The Guardian
The Guardian is a global news organisation that believes in delivering independent journalism and giving a voice to the powerless and holding power to account.
Human Rights Watch
It’s an international non-governmental organisation headquartered in New York City that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
Faye D’souza
Faye D'Souza is a renowned Indian journalist and news anchor known for her bold reporting and advocacy on social and political issues.
Love and light,
The Social Therapist
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