Mental Health Talks with our Syrian ParentsMental Health Talks with our Syrian Parents

In the article, the author shares their mental health and the reactions of their parents when they were diagnosed with their friends. The author explains that the parents do not have enough information about mental health, so they have difficulty accepting or supporting their children’s situation. The author emphasizes that we need to understand and help our parents, give them information about mental health treatment, and answer their questions patiently.)

My friends and I were discussing our mental health & we asked each other about our parents’ reactions to each of us when they realized that their kid had been diagnosed with a mental disorder. The answers were as follows: “My mum said not to tell anyone so I wouldn’t be known for being crazy & then no one would propose to me”; “Dad told me that psychiatrists tend to exaggerate, you’d be a little sad & they’d diagnose you with depression, meanwhile you’re out with your friends laughing the whole time”; “My mother said ‘do you actually want to go to therapy? As if some talking could cure you”; These three people were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, acute depression, and borderline personality disorder & all the answers came from educated parents from various scientific fields. Can we blame our parents? Honestly, no, because back in their day mental health terminology wasn’t really commonplace the way it is today. Most of their knowledge about mental health was from TV and shows that, for dramatic purposes, showcased mental disorders in a very cliche way, usually limiting it to cases of severe schizophrenia or psychosis. So, when met with the reality that their kid had been diagnosed with a mental disorder, these cliches are what come to mind, disregarding that a mental patient doesn’t have to be isolated, crying all the time or talking to themselves. Therefore, the important question is, where are our parents today regarding mental health? Parents today are going through many conflicts in accepting the idea of a mental disorder, the first being denying their kids’ illness because they’re afraid that this would be evidence they failed in raising them. Secondly, their fear of societal stigma, fearing that their kid has deviated from the social status quo, and that they might be looked down upon or excluded as a result.

Just as we need our parents to understand us, we need to understand them. So the next time you want to discuss your mental health with your parents, try comforting them & answering all their questions, no matter how obvious or provocative they might be. Keep in mind that this time they’re learning from you so they can learn about you. Be transparent about the treatment plan you want to go through & tell them how they can help throughout. There’s also no harm in elaborating on how psychiatric medications work & their side-effects. Remember that their behaviors are a result of the concepts they were raised on, as well as their concern for you. Understand them & help them understand you.