A new partnership with American School of Creative Science (ASCS) Maliha in Sharjah will support student wellbeing programmes, mental health workshops, educator development and awareness initiatives for students, teachers and parents.

Desert Barbell Strength Gym has partnered with Nafsi, the UAE’s first fully licensed online therapy and mental health platform, to offer a holistic wellness experience for its members. This partnership merges physical fitness with mental health support, recognising the undeniable connection between body and mind. Desert Barbell’s clients now have the opportunity to access personalised mental health services through Nafsi,

Their mission is to break the stigma. They want people in the Middle East to speak openly and freely about their struggles, without shame, and to seek help when needed. We sat down with them to get the full story on this groundbreaking platform.

According to Fatima Al Ameen, Clinical Psychologist at Nafsi Health, Fomo is deeply rooted in our psychology, driven by the modern pressures of staying connected and relevant. “While the term feels contemporary, its roots lie in our evolutionary instinct to remain part of the group,” Al Ameen explained.

Psychologists at Nafsi Health have made an interesting observation: people from different cultures feel guilty about different things. What makes us feel guilty can vary widely depending on where we come from. Dr Dana Ihsan, Psychiatrist & Medical Director of Nafsi Health: “There is a vast amount of information on guilty pleasure in various psychological literature, websites, and social media..

Nafsi Health, a certified online therapy platform, conducted a recent survey which revealed that stigma remains the most significant barrier to therapy. Nearly 9 out of 10, or 87 per cent of the respondents cited fear of judgement from family and society as the main reason they avoid therapy.