Navigating Mental Health Challenges in Times of War & Crisis by Dr. Wael Salame

In this webinar, Dr. Wael Salame emphasized the importance of addressing mental health challenges during crises, urging against normalizing or dismissing these issues. Participants learned to recognize distress signs across age groups—such as sleep disturbances and increased aggression in youth, and dissociation in adults. Dr. Salame recommended managing anxiety by carefully choosing news sources and limiting exposure to reduce stress, while highlighting the vital role of support from loved ones and validating individual emotions. He reassured participants that “it’s okay to not feel okay,” and that maintaining routines can be a healthy coping strategy. The session encouraged prioritizing mental health, seeking professional help when needed, choosing unbiased news sources, and avoiding the normalization of abnormal events and behaviors.

This session marked the beginning of Stay Aware alumni webinar series on Mental Wellbeing in Times of Crisis. 

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