April is Arab American Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the rich culture, history, and contributions of Arab Americans. But it’s also a time to shine a light on issues that affect the community, including mental health.
Omar Ammari is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in Arab communities. As a Jordanian-Palestinian American who has navigated mental health challenges himself, he realized that there it was hard to find mental health resources specifically tailored to his community. For this reason, he created the Arab American Mental Health Association (AAMHA), which provides education and resources to Arab Americans looking for mental health support.
Omar’s journey to advocacy
Omar’s personal connection to mental health inspired him to take action. “I’ve had my own mental health journey since I was 10,” he shares. “I was in and out of hospitals, going to so many therapists, medication, all that.”
With the support of his mother, Omar was able to get proper care. But he realized not all families understood mental health in the same way. “After 12 years, I am in a much better state, and I know that’s not the case for many in my community.”
Upon realizing that many Arab Americans did not have access to mental health care and faced a lot of stigma, Omar decided to take action. “I wanted to dedicate my time to helping people within my own community,” he says.
Challenges and strengths in the Arab community
Mental health stigma remains a major challenge in Arab communities. “People are often told to just pray more or push their feelings aside,” Omar says.
He also shares, “Religion is like a double-edged sword… It can be good in that it’s a community of people who are close with each other and they provide social support to each other. They also provide prayer… but prayer alone is not going to help someone with a chronic mental health disorder like schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.”
Omar says AAMHA provides mosque and church leaders with mental health resources and education because people in the Arab community may come to them first for support. This can help reduce stigma in the community as religious leaders are often highly respected and their opinions can be influential.
When it comes to sigma in the Arab American community, Omar points out that younger generations are starting to shift the narrative. “A lot of young Arab Americans understand the importance of mental health, even if their parents or grandparents don’t,” he explains. “That gives me hope for the future.”
Turning awareness into action
Instead of waiting for others to address these issues, Omar decided to create an organization. “If I didn’t do it, I don’t know if anyone else was going to,” he says. “And the sooner, the better—especially with what’s going on right now in the Middle East.”
Since its founding in January 2024, AAMHA has already made an impact. Omar says, “What I wanted to do as an organization is to take the material that’s out there that promotes and spreads awareness for mental health and all the mental health disorders and translate it for the general audience to make it easier to understand.” AAMHA has built an online presence with educational resources, interviews with mental health professionals, and personal stories to help people feel less alone.
Other projects AAMHA is working on include a documentary about a free clinic in Texas that works with underserved communities. The documentary will highlight the need for better access to mental health care. AAMHA is also developing a peer mentorship program to help Arab students transition to life in the U.S.
How to take action
For people ready to act, Omar offers straightforward and impactful guidance: “Acknowledging that you need help is the first step. Whether you’re struggling yourself or want to support a loved one, there are resources out there.”
He urges individuals to get professional help, use crisis text services, and learn about mental health. Omar also believes in the importance of having conversations about mental health and sharing credible resources so people can get the care they need.
His words to the Arab community? “It’s OK not to be OK. You’re not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help.”
Looking ahead
Omar’s vision for AAMHA is ambitious but necessary. “We want to grow nationwide, collaborate with universities, and eventually provide financial aid for therapy,” he says. “This is just the beginning.”
Through his work, Omar is proving that change starts with one person willing to take the lead. His advocacy is an inspiring example of what it looks like to turn awareness into action.
Resources
Arab American Mental Health Association
Naseeha Mental Health USA
Call their helpline at 1 (866) 627-3342
