On August 6, 2024, the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) Internship Program hosted a youth-for-youth dialogue session at the center, launching a series of youth-led discussions on critical issues affecting young people in Jordan and the region.
The first session focused on mental health, highlighting its significance and the challenges that Jordanian youth face aiming to raise awareness about mental health, addressing the stigma often associated with mental illness and the socio-economic difficulties attached to it. It also sought to foster a supportive environment where young people feel encouraged to speak openly about their struggles and seek help when needed.
The session was led and moderated by the intern Marah Najem, with 20 participants including youth, with expert guest Dr. Basma Kilani, the founder and Head Specialist of Maria Den Braven Center among other practitioners.
The following are the main issues discussed during the session:
An Overview of Mental Health in Jordan
RSC intern Aser Mostafa began the session by shortly presenting the research done by the Internship Program on common mental health issues affecting young people in Jordan, stating that in Jordan, over 16% of children and 23% of adolescents experience severe depression. Additionally, 24.5% of children and 27.7% of adolescents show symptoms of anxiety, while 36% of children and 22% of adolescents suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among young adults, 20% face depression or anxiety, and those aged 18 to 24 are five times more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to their grandparents.
Determinants of Mental Health
Participants highlighted several determinants of mental health, emphasizing the role of family, prospects, and environment. For example, one of the youths said: “Some youth experience invalidating and dysfunctional environments where their inherent wisdom is not recognized, contributing to mental health challenges”. Dr. Kilani added that “[…] this is particularly evident in war-torn areas or among refugees, where violence and adverse childhood experiences lead to generational mental health disorders”.
Indeed, environmental factors can play a significant role; poor living conditions can deteriorate mental well-being and in Jordan, many refugees live in challenging environments, which can exacerbate mental health struggles.
Myths About Mental Health and Breaking the Stigma
The session addressed common myths and misconceptions about mental health, with a focus on how negative social norms could influence people's views. Questions such as "Why is mental health often stigmatized?" and "How do social norms influence people’s views on mental health?" were central to this discussion, emphasizing the need to challenge harmful stereotypes. The session also delved into the stigma surrounding mental illness, “you can see people struggling with mental health, but you can't go to them and you're struggling because you're offending them.” one of the participants said. Another participant mentioned that, even within her own family, she had to conceal her therapy sessions from one of her parents due to the fear of being stigmatized.
Challenges for Jordanian Youth
Jordanian youth face many challenges that affect their mental health, and the stigma and lack of affordable resources only exacerbate the problem. Indeed, the youth in Jordan are being put under constant pressure without being given the proper tools to regulate their emotions. According to Dr. Kilani “emotional regulation is an issue in this part of the world. And there is more focus on people's appearances than on their emotions”.
One participant thought that unemployment and financial insecurity significantly impact mental health, especially among young people. The lack of guaranteed results despite hard work creates stress and uncertainty about the future, contributing to ongoing mental health struggles.
Social Media and Mental Health
According to Datareportal, Jordan was home to 6.38 million social media users in January 2024, equating to 56.2 percent of the total population, and it was reported that 35% of children and 46% of adolescents in Jordan have problematic internet use.
Participants discussed the dual impact of social media on mental well-being and the importance of responsible online behavior.
One participant stated that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter limit user choice by using algorithms to determine content visibility. In Jordan, TikTok is banned due to its adverse effects on young adults and adolescents, which have also prompted regulatory changes in the U.S. and Europe. These platforms can desensitize users by repeatedly exposing them to roles and emotions they may not choose to encounter.
Another participant believed that while social media can positively impact adolescents and youth by providing a sense of connection, it often has negative effects on young adults and children. She highlights the example of eating disorder communities, where individuals encourage unhealthy behaviors and idolize malnourished bodies. This leads to a harmful cycle of obsession and unhealthy comparison, making it difficult for individuals to escape these toxic environments.
Many aspects were discussed, such as the lack of control people have over what content they see on social media. “It’s like one second, you’re looking at a funeral and then the next there's a what's in my bag video. [...] It’s a very disorienting experience” said Nour Bseiso, an intern at Maria Den Braven Center.
One of the participants noted, "We can see how people develop their eating disorders because we use filters all the time and then we look at the mirror and we can’t see the person we’d like to see, and this is why young people go for cosmetic surgeries and Botox”.
Access to Mental Health Services
Dr. Kilani provided a professional overview of the state of access to mental health care in Jordan, noting that only two public hospitals in Amman offer therapy, and their services are severely limited due to overwhelming demand. She explained that mental health services at private centers are expensive, with a shortage of therapists relative to the high demand, resulting in long waiting lists. Dr. Kilani also warned that the situation could deteriorate further, as the conditions in neighboring countries are even more dire. For instance, in Iraq, the ratio of therapists to people is one to a million, leading many Iraqis to seek therapy in Jordan.
Another significant concern she raised was the quality of the services provided. Dr. Kilani pointed out that while therapists invest considerable time and resources into their work, there is often little evidence of patient improvement, highlighting the need for regular progress assessments and continuous training for therapists—both of which are costly.
The lack of insurance coverage for mental health further complicates matters for both therapists and patients. Therapists face the challenge of charging enough to sustain their well-being and professional development, while clients often struggle to afford the fees. This financial strain leads to a difficult balance, with therapists frequently reducing their rates, which creates an ongoing struggle.
Recommendations
The session concluded with participants sharing personal stories, and recommendations on how to move forward, such as:
- Raising awareness about mental health in schools, universities, and among parents, and encouraging open discussions on the topic.
- Advocate for broader insurance coverage for mental health services, including therapy and medication, to reduce financial barriers for individuals seeking help.
- Allocate more funding to public psychiatry clinics to hire additional staff, reduce caseloads, and allow for more thorough patient evaluations.
- Encourage using standardized diagnostic tools and guidelines to improve the consistency and accuracy of mental health assessments.
- Advocate for public incentives for students in mental health-related fields to increase the number of certified mental health professionals and, in turn, reduce their fees, thereby making their services more accessible to the public.
References
National Study for Mental Health Status among Children and Adolescents in Jordan. 2023. Children and Adolescents Mental Health. Ministry of Health Jordan, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Jordan River Foundation, Jordan Education Initiative, Higher Council for Science and Technology, and National Center for Mental Health. PowerPoint presentation.
Beiter, R., B. Nash, M. McCrady, D. Rhoades, M. Linscomb, H. Clarahan, and R. Sammut. 2015. "The Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in a Sample of College Students." Journal of Affective Disorders 173: 90-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.10.054.
(محمد الرواشدة. "الأردن يشهد ارتفاعاً في اضطرابات الصحة النفسية بين الأطفال والمراهقين." .نبض, 25 مايو 2023.
"20% of Jordanians Suffer from Depression, Anxiety — National Centre for Mental Health." The Jordan Times, August 7, 2023. https://jordantimes.com/news/local/20-jordanians-suffer-depression-anxiety-%E2%80%94-national-centre-mental-health.
Here are the citations in Chicago style for the provided links, in their original language:
"Young Adults in Mental Health Crisis, Report Reveals." The Jordan Times, August 5, 2024. https://jordantimes.com/news/local/young-adults-mental-health-crisis-report-reveals.
"Prevalence of Mental Disorders Among Adolescents in Jordan." Royal Medical Services Journal 31, no. 2 (2024): 78-85. http://rmsjournal.org/ArticlesView.aspx?ArticleId=949.
"The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Jordan." National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 2024.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10461217/#:~:text=In%20Jordan%2C%20during%20the%20COVID,highest%20since%202017%20%5B11%5D.
"Jordan Sees a Rise in Mental Health Issues Amidst the Pandemic." Roya News, April 15, 2024. https://en.royanews.tv/news/18646.
Dmour, Hussein H., Muath F. Marashdeh, Arfat k. Al-Zubi, Maxim A. Obaisat, and Malik M. Al-Alwan. "Stigma of Mental Illness in Jordan." Royal Medical Services Journal 27, no. 1 (April 2020): 10.12816/0055469.
