Mental Health AE

What happens when the news we consume starts affecting our mental health? In this episode of the MHAE Podcast, I sit down with Hala Nasar, social media journalist at The National, to explore the complicated relationship between journalism, mental health, and the overwhelming amount of information we consume every day. In a world of breaking news, sensational headlines, misinformation, and endless doomscrolling, we discuss how the stories we read and share shape our emotions, influence our perceptions, and sometimes create unnecessary fear and anxiety.We dive into the responsibilities journalists carry when reporting on sensitive issues, the importance of prioritizing accuracy over speed, and how to distinguish credible reporting from misinformation. We also explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence in journalism, from AI-generated fake images and videos to concerns about job displacement and the future of human creativity. Along the way, I share some personal experiences of navigating fear and uncertainty during regional tensions, and we discuss practical ways to stay informed without sacrificing our mental well-being.Hala also shares her exciting journey as a recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism and her plans to dedicate the second season of her podcast, "How to Adult", to exploring the mental health challenges facing young adults in our region. From responsible journalism to digital literacy, emotional resilience, and the importance of trusted information, this conversation is a reminder that staying informed matters, but so does protecting our peace of mind.PodcastersAli Khawaja⁠ | https://alikhawaja.com Hala Nasar | https://www.instagram.com/halaanasarrMHAE Website | ⁠https://www.mentalhealth.ae⁠ MHAE Instagram | / mentalhealthae Outline00:00 - Introduction: Meet Hala Nasar Ali welcomes journalist Hala Nasar to the podcast for a full-circle conversation about journalism, mental health, and her journey from editing the show to becoming a guest.02:18 - The Mental Health Impact of JournalismHala explains how covering difficult global events can affect journalists personally, and how every news story carries a potential mental health dimension.04:40 - Sensationalism and the Responsibility of News MediaAli and Hala explore why negative stories dominate headlines and the ethical responsibility journalists have to inform audiences without amplifying fear.08:49 - Fake News, Fact-Checking, and Journalistic IntegrityWhy should accuracy always come before speed? Hala explains how journalists verify information, evaluate sources, and maintain public trust.12:25 - Beyond the Headlines: Making News MeaningfulThe conversation shifts to the importance of explaining what news actually means, the role of subject-matter experts, and making complex stories accessible through social media.20:17 - Doomscrolling, News Fatigue, and AnxietyAli and Hala discuss how algorithms, conspiracy theories, and constant exposure to alarming content can intensify stress, anxiety, and fear.24:06 - Protecting Your Mental Health During Uncertain TimesAli shares practical strategies for limiting news consumption, choosing trusted information sources, and helping friends and family navigate uncertainty.28:04 - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of JournalismCan AI replace journalists and writers? Hala and Ali discuss job disruption, human creativity, AI-generated misinformation, 34:19 - When Fear Becomes More Powerful Than FactsThrough personal experiences during regional tensions, Ali and Hala examine how misinformation spreads panic and why verified information can help people make calmer decisions.39:43 - Hala's Mental Health Journalism Fellowship and What's NextHala discusses receiving the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism and her plans for a mental health-focused season of How to Adult, exploring challenges facing young adults in the region.

What happens when the pace of modern life starts working against us? In this episode, I sit down with DHA-licensed clinical psychologist Sarah El Nabulsi to talk about stress, burnout, anxiety, and the pressure to constantly perform. We explore what it means to build a life that is more aligned with who you are, and why slowing down can sometimes be one of the most productive things you can do.Sarah introduces us to Transcendental Meditation (TM) and explains how she incorporates meditation alongside her work as a clinical psychologist. We discuss the differences she sees between TM and other forms of meditation, why meditation does not have to mean forcing your mind to become quiet, and how developing greater mental stillness can influence the way we respond to pressure. I also share my own experience with yoga and meditation, including the unexpected lesson that changed the way I measure progress.We also explore meditation in the context of ADHD, autism, trauma, family dynamics, and high-performance environments. Sarah explains why she sometimes works with an entire family rather than focusing solely on one child, discusses the work of the Transcendental Meditation Organization, and shares how mental health professionals can pursue further training. We close with a conversation about fear, stress, and giving ourselves permission to make decisions from a more balanced and grounded place.PodcastersAli Khawaja⁠ | https://alikhawaja.com Sarah El Nabulsi | https://www.instagram.com/sarahelnabulsiMHAE Website | ⁠https://www.mentalhealth.ae⁠ MHAE Instagram | / mentalhealthae Outline00:00 Meet Sarah El Nabulsi: Clinical Psychology & Meditation Sarah introduces her work as a DHA-licensed clinical psychologist and her role with the Transcendental Meditation Organization in the UAE.03:01 Finding Work and a Life That Align With Who You AreWe discuss the pressure to follow a conventional path and why Sarah believes fulfillment comes from making choices that genuinely align with your nature and priorities.05:23 How Meditation Can Change the Way You Navigate LifeSarah shares how discovering meditation at university affected her performance, creativity, decision-making, and ability to stay grounded amid outside expectations.07:31 My Personal Experience With Yoga, Meditation & StressI share how yoga and meditation unexpectedly became part of my routine, and the lesson that changed how I measure progress beyond flexibility or physical performance.12:20 Meditation as a Tool for Performance and Mental ClarityWe explore why meditation has become part of the performance toolkit for executives and athletes, and how being physically alert while mentally calm can change how you operate under pressure.17:47 Transcendental Meditation vs. Other Forms of MeditationSarah breaks down what she sees as the key differences between concentration, contemplation, and automatic self-transcending techniques, including why TM emphasizes effortlessness.21:59 How to Get Started With Transcendental MeditationWhat does learning TM actually involve? Sarah walks through the four-day learning process, the time commitment, and how the training is structured for people with busy schedules.24:09 ADHD, Autism, Meditation & the Family ApproachWe discuss meditation in the context of neurodivergence and why Sarah sometimes works with parents, children, and the wider family environment rather than focusing on one individual.30:13 The Transcendental Meditation Organization & Its WorkSarah explains the international scope of the TM organization, its educational initiatives, meditation communities, and her ambitions for larger projects in the Middle East.34:03 Fear, Stress & Transforming Your LifeWe close with Sarah's perspective on how much stress and negativity people learn to tolerate, why fear can keep us contained, and the importance of making major decisions from a balanced state.

In this episode of the MHAE Podcast, Ali Khawaja sits down with Angela Marson and Nadia Mankani of ADHD360AE for an insightful conversation about ADHD, education, parenting, and the systems we can build to better support neurodivergent children and adults. Drawing from Angela's background in education and psychology and Nadia's lived experience as a parent in an ADHD family, they explore why ADHD is far more complex than simply struggling with attention or being hyperactive.The conversation looks at the real-life impact of executive dysfunction, emotional regulation, rejection sensitivity, stigma, masking, and the accumulation of criticism that many people with ADHD experience from childhood onward. Angela and Nadia discuss why parents and educators need realistic expectations, why accommodations can sometimes carry their own stigma, and why supporting a child is not about "fixing" them. Instead, meaningful support comes from understanding how their brain works, developing executive-function skills, creating appropriate structures, and helping them build confidence and independence.The episode also gets highly practical. Ali, Angela, and Nadia share strategies that can work at home, in classrooms, universities, workplaces, and adult life, from gamification and visual calendars to breaking instructions into manageable steps, modeling emotional regulation, using visible timers, creating time buffers, and designing systems around the individual. Ultimately, the discussion makes the case that ADHD support does not always require dramatic interventions. Better education, thoughtful systems, small adjustments, and a more compassionate understanding of individual differences can have an enormous impact.PodcastersAli Khawaja⁠ | https://alikhawaja.com Nadia Mankani & Angela Marson | https://www.instagram.com/adhd360.ae/MHAE Website | ⁠https://www.mentalhealth.ae⁠ MHAE Instagram | / mentalhealthae

In this episode, Ali sits down with Alaa Eldakrouri, a legal counsel and holistic counselor whose own healing journey transformed the way she understands the connection between the mind, body, and emotions.Alaa shares her experience of unexplained physical health challenges, years of medical treatment, and the personal and professional collapse that eventually led her to therapy. Together, they explore how chronic stress and unresolved emotions can shape the way we experience our bodies, relationships, and ourselves.The conversation goes deeper into childhood trauma, the beliefs we carry into adulthood, the voice of the inner critic, and why simply becoming aware of our patterns is only the beginning. They also discuss self-compassion, creating safe spaces, seeking professional support, and the courage it can take to finally ask for help.At its heart, this episode is about learning to listen to yourself differently, moving beyond survival, and beginning the work of healing.If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating certain patterns, struggled to understand what your body is trying to tell you, or felt that asking for help was harder than continuing to struggle alone, this conversation is for you.PodcastersAli Khawaja⁠ | https://alikhawaja.com Alaa Eldakrouri | https://www.instagram.com/alaaeldakrouriMHAE Website | ⁠https://www.mentalhealth.ae⁠ MHAE Instagram | / mentalhealthae

In this episode, Ali sits down with licensed psychologist, Amal Abdulcebbar, for a thoughtful conversation about mental health, identity, and what it means to live a healthier, more intentional life. Together, they explore why anxiety and stress have become so common, how social media shapes our perception of success, and why younger generations are becoming more open to seeking professional support.The discussion also dives into the powerful connection between mind and body, highlighting the role of sleep, nutrition, movement, and self-awareness in supporting mental wellbeing. Amal shares practical, evidence-based insights from her clinical practice, while Ali reflects on his experiences coaching executives and teaching university students. The episode concludes with simple, actionable advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed: slow down, think small, and take one meaningful step at a time toward the life you want. PodcastersAli Khawaja⁠ | https://alikhawaja.com MHAE Website | ⁠https://www.mentalhealth.ae⁠ MHAE Instagram | http://instagram.com/mentalhealthaeOutlineOutline00:00 - Welcome & Meet Amal AbdulcebbarAli introduces psychologist Amal Abdulcebbar and kicks off the conversation with her background and journey into psychology.03:59 - Growing Up in Dubai & Finding Your IdentityAmal discusses cultural identity, belonging in a multicultural society, and the common mental health challenges she sees in young adults.07:17 - Mental Health Stigma & Social Media PressureA conversation about the slow reduction of mental health stigma and how social media fuels comparison, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations.10:33 - Redefining Success on Your Own TermsWhy understanding your own values matters more than following society's definition of success.15:43 - Technology, Therapy & Seeking HelpHow younger generations are changing attitudes toward therapy, the role of digital tools, and why in-person connection still matters.21:01 - Stress, Anxiety & The Psychology Behind ThemAmal explains common conditions she treats, including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and how stress can become a self-reinforcing cycle.24:01 - Breaking Through Resistance to Mental Health SupportAli and Amal discuss vulnerability, the barriers that stop people from asking for help, and the importance of holistic care.28:48 - The Mind-Body ConnectionAn in-depth discussion on sleep, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and how physical health directly influences mental wellbeing.33:12 - Simple Daily Habits That Improve Mental HealthAli shares practical strategies around sleep, food, movement, and routines, while Amal emphasizes sustainable, personalized habits.37:46 - When Life Feels Overwhelming, Think SmallAmal's practical advice on mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on your values, and taking one small step at a time before Ali closes the episode.