Nadia Jammom

I’ve been working in my field for four years and haven’t had any trouble maintaining the emotional stability needed for my job. Then Hurricane Daniel struck and turned everything upside down!

I am Nadia Jammom, a psychotherapist.

Choosing my major was not a coincidence. Since childhood, I have been aware of my passion and determination to pursue psychology. I graduated from the College of Counseling and Psychotherapy in the spring of 2022. I was eager to participate as a volunteer in the field of psychology. Thus, I took part in establishing the "Eitizan" platform to raise awareness on the importance of mental health and fighting the stigma that characterizes every person that seeks mental health.

As a part of the Eitizan team, I gave several lectures on mental health in delightful atmospheres, some of which even ended in ululation. However, achievements come with challenges, and that’s precisely what happened. Our work was stopped due to flimsy reasons, but we carried on towards our goal with a dream.

The most challenging experience in my work was late last year. I recall the state of confusion I was in when I heard of the misfortune in eastern Libya, accompanied by graphic pictures and details about the extent of the disaster that befell the city and its people. What I heard from the eyewitnesses while volunteering at the Yasmine Derna Clinic to provide psychological support to survivors was even more horrific. There was chaos everywhere, it was hard to control my emotions and focus on my job as a counselor when I myself needed support. None of us were psychologically prepared for the disaster, which highlights the need to raise awareness about the importance of all professional sectors in society.

I still am in touch with a few of the families, and I can assure that the psychological devastation caused by the hurricane exceeds all physical losses. We as a society will never be able to overcome this ordeal unless psychological support services are made available by urging the need for them to be used. Mental health is a right that must be guaranteed to all.