26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Stigma of mental health tackled through creative expression
Muscat – The third edition of 'Freud Got Talent', Oman's only multidisciplinary creative arts competition focused on mental health awareness, concluded with a showcase of artistic expression.
Organised by Not Alone, the event took place in two phases – semi-finals on May 17 and finals on May 22 – at Downe House School Muscat. The programme included a panel discussion on mental health at Royal Opera House Muscat on May 21.
The discussion featured Sheikha Hala al Khalifa, Director of Culture and Arts Directorate at Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, and Cairo-based Dr Nasser Loza, Director of The Behman Hospital and Maadi Psychology Centre. Both emphasised the role of creativity in mental well-being.
Dr Loza urged young people to break free from ideological constraints. 'If one is limited to his external thoughts then there would have been no Van Gogh or Nirvana. One also need not start his art with the very thought of making money else the journey will be less travelled and not fully cherished,' he said.
Sheikha Hala noted that art offers a pathway to healing. 'Art has an incredible capacity to heal mental illness as it creates an avenue to cherish the good impacts of creations,' she said.
Freud Got Talent brought together amateur and professional artists from across Oman, providing a platform for children and adults alike to share their personal journeys with mental health through visual arts, music, writing, digital media and performance.
Sayyida Amal al Said, one of the judges in the literary category, said, 'Art heals. It gives shape to emotions we can't often articulate. Freud Got Talent proved that creativity is one of our strongest tools to de-stigmatise mental health.'
The competition was open to participants in four age groups – Kids (6–11), Teens (12–17), Youth (18–25) and Adults (26+) – and included both citizens and residents of Oman. Submissions were evaluated by judging panels comprising artists, writers, designers and mental health professionals.
'We looked for works that spoke honestly about emotional struggles and triumphs. Vulnerability is strength,' said Sara al Mukhaini, judge for the digital visual category.
Finalists were assessed on originality, emotional impact and clarity of message by panels that included Dr Abdul Monem al Hassani, Amal al Raisi and Sayyida Afra al Said.
