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Muscat Daily
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.
Observer
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
3rd edition of 'Freud Got Talent' set to boost mental awareness
May is the Mental Health Awareness Month, with the objective to educate the public about mental health, treatment, and research, and in the process, remove the stigma, making sure no one suffers in silence. Coinciding with the month of mental awareness, the Not Alone Campaign is holding the third edition of Freud Got Talent, a creative arts competition that celebrates artistic expression as a voice for mental health awareness. The founder of the Not Alone campaign, HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, speaking to Observer, said, 'The initiative is about how we can spread awareness through arts because a lot of people can express through art instead of talking. So we are using a lot of ways, such as music, writing, acting, painting, etc. The competition is for different age groups and all nationalities. We are very excited, and at the same time, we are also trying to explain to people that art is not just about paintings,' explained Sayyida Basma. The event will be held across two dates, with semifinals on May 17th and the finals on May 22, 2025, at Downe House School Muscat, bringing together amateur and professional artists of all ages and backgrounds from across Oman. The event is an inclusive platform for all, as art transcends boundaries. According to the organizers, when paired with the power of mental health awareness, it becomes a transformative force for healing, expression and advocacy. The Freud Got Talent competition is open to kids from ages six to eleven, teens from twelve to seventeen, youth from 18 to 25, and adults 26 and above. The competition is open to local and international artists residing in Oman, including students, hobbyists, and professionals alike. The initiative aims to use creative expression as a tool for emotional release and storytelling by providing a safe, inclusive space for artists to share personal journeys related to mental health and encourage public dialogue to reduce stigma and promote psychological well-being. Artists may submit work in a wide range of formats, including visual art, digital media, performance art, literary works, photography, videography, and handmade creations, provided the piece connects meaningfully to themes surrounding mental health. Each participant can only submit one entry. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of artists, mental health advocates, and creatives across the following categories such as Traditional Visual Arts: Riham Al Zadjali, Matti Sirvio, Dr Mona Ismail; Architecture: Sami Al Siyabi, Rihab Al Zakwani; Fashion and Handmade Creations: Sayyida Hakima Al Said, Ibtisam Al Said, Radhika Hamlai; Literary Arts: Turki bin Ali Al Balushi, Aisha Al Saifi, Sayyida Amal Al Said; Performance Arts & Make-Up: Jihad Al Raisi, Aishwarya Hedge, Hayan Allamki (Alden Theatre), Hager Sami; Digital Visual: Safiya Al Bahlani, Sara Al Mukhaini; Photography and Videography: Abdullah Al Sulaimi, Dalia Al Bassami, Salem Sawakhroon. Dr Abdul Monem Al Hassani, Sarah A. Farid Al Aulaqi, Amal Al Raisi, Hassan Al Meer, Sayyida Afra Al Said, Taresh Quton are the judges for the finals, which will be held on May 22, 2025, from 7pm to 9 pm at Downe House Muscat, Al Bandar, Seeb
