Brave Emirati named Mental Health Hero
A courageous Emirati, once called the ‘possessed boy’ led the winners at ‘the mentl awards 2023’ in an evening dedicated to inspiration and compassion.
Adel AlFalasi lifted the Mental Health Hero: Overcoming Barriers trophy at a glittering awards dinner after sharing his powerful story of mental illness and recovery with judges in the awards’ first edition.
His childhood was a journey through darkness and isolation, with the young boy believing he was possessed and that he could see and speak with ghosts, the reality was he was struggling with a number of mental illnesses including bipolar Schizoaffective disorder, epilepsy, PTSD, panic attacks, and social anxiety.
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A stroke that hospitalised him eventually led to him being treated by Dr Nahida Nayez Ahmed, consultant psychiatrist with Seha. Through his treatment Adel discovered the therapeutic power of art, eventually this led to his exhibiting his work at the 3rd Abu Dhabi Integrated Mental Health Conference earlier this year.
Writing the day after his collecting his award on stage at the St Regis Downtown Dubai in front of close to 200 people on Friday evening, he said: “This still feels like a dream for me, but last night was the day that I will never forgot.
“Please allow me to dedicate this spectacular mentl award to Dr. Nahida Nayaz Ahmed and to all her patients. We did it. We overcame our barriers and we will never stop.
“We can be more than what we thought, suffering in silence and alone is not the answer. Just one step forward could be life-changing and you will become a hero. You can be better and everything will be alright.”
Highly commended in Adel’s category was Anna Marie Lopes, whose story was no less compelling. A domestic violence survivor courageously fighting C-PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She has become a resilient mental health and trauma advocate inspiring others on their mental health journeys despite her own battles.
In all 27 winners and 18 highly commended individuals, projects and companies were honoured at ‘the mentl award 2023’, which sought to champion the work of those who went above and beyond, creating cultures where all thrive. The evening was supported by Cigna Healthcare as the headline sponsor.
Founder of mentl, and the mentl awards 2023, Scott Armstrong said: “Our mission our mentl is to have open and honest conversations about mental health so that we all know that we can talk about it. I was so inspired by the courage of Adel and Anna for sharing their stories with our jury, that take real bravery to open up and delighted to see them honoured in the awards.
“We wanted to make a bold statement with the awards, that kindness, compassion and empathy are worth celebrating. To me every single entrant was a winner whether they walked away with a trophy or not, they stepped up to be counted.
“It was an incredible evening with nearly 200 passionate advocates of wellbeing coming together to make a difference. Together we thrive.”
Winners of ‘the mentl awards 2023’
Outstanding mental health initiative in education
Winner
Aldar Education
Highly Commended
Safa British School
Ajman University – College of Medicine / Dr Jigna Stott
Best mental health care in human resources & recruitment
Winner
Elements Talent Consultancy
Highly Commended
Aldar Education
Best caring for the carers initiative
Winner
Aster DM Healthcare’s Initiative for Caregivers
Highly Commended
NMC Provita
Outstanding contribution in healthcare to mental health
Winner
Cigna Healthcare
Highly Commended
American Center for Psychiatry & Neurology
Best mental health care in professional services
Winner
ELEMENTS by Acorn Strategy & Digital Farm
Highly Commended
Deloitte Middle East
Outstanding mental health in the event sector
Winner
Connection@ASM Global
Highly Commended
Workspace Summit by dmg events
British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates
Most impactful financial literacy project
Winner
Conscious Finance Coaching – Employee Financial Wellness Programs
Highly Commended
KFI GLOBAL
Best mental health care in the creative industries
Winner
Roar
Highly Commended
ELEMENTS by Acorn Strategy & Digital Farm
Best mental health support in PR and communications
Winner
ELEMENTS by Acorn Strategy & Digital Farm
Best mental health program for the start-up & SME sector
Winner
Nikki Steele Osborne
Highly Commended
LIGHTBLUE
Best mental health project in the medicinal and life science industries
Winner
Brain Matrix Alliance
Most innovative mental health tech
Winner
Stories
Outstanding mental health support in the retail sector
Winner
Chalhoub Group
Outstanding mental health support in the energy industry
Winner
Siemens Energy
Best mental health care in the legal profession
Winner
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Highly Commended
Gateley UK LLP (DMCC Branch)
Outstanding community impact by mental health professionals
Winner
The LightHouse Arabia
Highly Commended
Sage Clinics
Outstanding mental health initiative in sports, fitness, and wellness
Winner
ASICS
Best mental health care in the mobility sector
Winner
On Star by General Motors
Best mental health program for hospitality and tourism
Winner
Dubai Chefs Collective
Best mental health care in a charity or non-profit
Winner
British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates
Outstanding mental health for our front-line heroes
Winner
Maya Bizri
Outstanding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative
Winner
Siemens Energy
Mental Health Heroes: Empathy in Leadership
Winner
Sarah Siyani / Aldar Education
Highly Commended
Tapan Vaidya, CEO, Papa Johns, UAE, KSA and Jordan
Iain Balfour, Operations Director at LIGHTBLUE
Mental Health Heroes: Advocate of the Year
Winner
Heather Broderick
Mental Health Heroes: Mental Health Champion 2023
Winner
Dr. Saliha Afridi, PsyD
Highly Commended
Jane Maiella
Mental Health Heroes: Overcoming barriers to succeed
Winner
Adel AlFalasi
Highly Commended
Anna Marie Lopes
