
December 8, 2024: A Dualism of Opportunity and Threat
“Any event [no matter its nature] is simultaneously an opportunity and a threat,” said a Syrian professor a few years ago. To seize the opportunity presented by the events of
Suicide, the drastic result of the accumulation of many factors; never the result of one. Anyone can be at risk. Suicidal people do not realize that their thinking/decision-making is restricted/impaired & may have mixed feelings about death as they’re not in the right mind.
Hussein Shamas, a talented 17-year-old Syrian photographer in Damascus, died by suicide. A large proportion of our community made fun of the situation; called it a “trend” & left brutal comments on social media: “we shouldn’t feel sorry for him”, “his faith was weak.”
Many Syrians face suicidal thoughts, but due to culture, religion & lack of awareness, are judged & misunderstood. In our community, some people believe that cultural/religious beliefs (like the evil eye) are a possible source of mental illness & that being suicidal is “haram” (religiously prohibited/sinful). Faulty thinking leads people away from understanding the true causes & elicits fear. Fear causes stigma & prevents people from seeking help; it’s a cycle. Another issue we face is privacy; keeping issues hidden away from society. Some people are aware that their friends/families are suicidal, but people’s reactions are more important to them. “3eb, shu bedon yehku 3alena/byentize3 seetna” (Shame, what will people say about us/our reputation will be ruined). Others are convinced that a lack of faith is the ultimate cause of suicide, which results in lower reporting of suicidal ideations for the fear of being judged or accused of not being religious. Instead of accusing others of not having enough faith or worrying about what people have to say, let’s base our cultural beliefs on building strong family relationships, inclusive community support & accessible mental health care. Let’s understand that religion, which provides comfort & empowerment for some, may not do so for others.
Syria is witnessing an increase in the number of reported suicides due to unemployment, financial issues, bullying & abuse… To make progress in suicide prevention/intervention, we must break the stigma & raise community awareness.
“Any event [no matter its nature] is simultaneously an opportunity and a threat,” said a Syrian professor a few years ago. To seize the opportunity presented by the events of
Information that we hope is spread far and wide, as we witness the wildfire spread of false and even dangerous ideas about secularism within Syrian society. Awareness is the most
In the middle of all of these overwhelming feelings of hope, disappointment, uncertainty, and fear, I remember the voice of my father saying, “All people have the government they deserve.”