Beirut, Lebanon – February 16th 2023: On February 16, 2022, Lebanon celebrated hope and achievement with the win of the Lebanese National Basketball team in the Arab Cup, their first historical victory. This win brought with it a glimpse of hope during some of Lebanon’s most difficult times.
One year later, the country’s crises are not getting any less. Behind moments of success, are increasing stressors from daily living conditions impacting everyone in Lebanon. Yet for men, addressing the emotional impact of these stressors remains a taboo.
In 2023, the European Union in Lebanon and Embrace are continuing the quest to break the stigma around mental health, by starting the conversation about men’s mental health, which remains, until today, an unspoken about subject in the Lebanese society. Men are expected to be strong and powerful, denying them the ability to be in touch with their feelings and seek help when needed.
With the support of the European Union in Lebanon, Embrace and members of the Lebanese National Basketball team, teamed up to launch a campaign aiming at raising awareness around men’s mental health in Lebanon, and encouraging Lebanese men to reach out.
In a short film directed by Elie Fahed, members of the national basketball team Jad El Hajj, Wael Arakji, Sergio El Darwish, Hayk Gyokchyan, Ali Mansour and Elie Chamoun candidly share personal stories about their own struggles with the purpose of de-stigmatizing and normalizing men’s mental health, and sending a message of hope and a reminder that men can overcome any challenge by expressing themselves and seeking support.
This a conversation everyone should take part in, as a contribution to a better well-being for all of Lebanon. Let’s normalize men talking. Let’s normalize men seeking mental health support.
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