اخبار الكويت- وطن نيوز
اخر اخبار الكويت اليوم – اخبار الكويت العاجلة
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-03-22 22:00:00
– The challenge in times of crises and wars goes beyond physical safety to include the mental health of individuals and families – Stress in wars is open-ended and unclear, which constitutes a major psychological burden that keeps the nervous system on constant alert – The necessity of regulating the emotional atmosphere at home, maintaining daily routines, and reducing exposure to disturbing sources – The child does not search for the complete truth, but relies on his surroundings to understand and feel the extent of safety – If we do not explain to the child what is happening, he tends to imagine scenarios that may be more disturbing than reality – Signs of the child being affected psychologically: sleep disturbances and increased attachment And bouts of anger or crying and a decline in behavior – The effect of psychological stress on adults: constant anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, overthinking, headache and fatigue. Loaded with decades of scientific and practical experience, Dr. Nayef Al-Mutawa, professor of clinical psychology at the College of Medicine at Kuwait University, presented a scientific prescription for how to deal with psychological stress in light of crises and wars, especially among children, reviewing practical tools that help in adaptation, and pointing to the role of technology and societal responsibility in providing support. Al-Mutawa explained, in an interview. With Al-Rai, “In light of crises and wars, the challenge is not limited to physical safety, but rather extends to include the mental health of individuals and families,” explaining that “stress in times of war is not only more severe, but different in nature. It is chronic, persistent, and unpredictable stress, often associated with a real sense of danger. This puts the nervous system on constant alert, as if the person is ready all the time for a reaction (fight or flight), which leads to gradual psychological and physical exhaustion. The difference is that daily stresses are often specific and can be contained, while stress in wars is open-ended and unclear, and this in itself constitutes a great psychological burden.” Supporting Children Regarding how children are psychologically supported by adults in these circumstances, Al-Mutawa stressed that “children do not need everything explained as much as they need to feel safe. This feeling comes not only from words, but from the adult’s behavior, tone of voice, and way of dealing with situations. When the adult is calmer and more organized in his feelings, he transmits this feeling directly to the child. Therefore, it is important to regulate the emotional atmosphere inside the home, maintain the daily routine as much as possible, and reduce exposure to disturbing sources, because the child depends on his surroundings to understand the extent of safety,” considering that “the child is not looking for the complete truth… but rather for a feeling of safety.” Regarding the importance of talking with children about what is happening, he emphasized that “talking is important, but in a simplified way and appropriate for their ages.” Children naturally notice changes around them, and if what is happening is not explained to them, they tend to imagine scenarios that may be more disturbing than reality. Therefore, it is better to provide simple and clear information, while reassuring them and leaving space for their questions without overwhelming them with burdensome details.” Age Groups Regarding how we deal with different age groups, Al-Mutawa stated that “dealing with children must be flexible according to their age stage. Young children need frequent reassurance and simple language, while older children need clearer information with room for expression. As for teenagers, they need a dialogue that respects their awareness and independence, while guiding them without belittling their feelings. He considered that “the most prominent signs that a child may be affected psychologically are: sleep disturbances, increased attachment, bouts of anger or crying, a decline in behavior or performance, or excessive fear of things that did not previously worry him.” These signs are often a natural response to stress, but they require early attention and support. Regarding how psychological stress appears in adults, he explained that “psychological stress may appear in multiple ways, such as constant anxiety, difficulty sleeping, irritability, overthinking, or even physical symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. In some cases, a person may feel emotional numbness or detachment, which is a natural defensive reaction under constant pressure. Al-Mutawa concluded, “What we feel is normal in an abnormal circumstance. What is important is to focus on what can be controlled, maintain communication with others, and not hesitate to ask for support when needed.” He added, “In times of chaos… simplicity and generosity are the true power.” The shock of wars…begins afterward. Al-Mutawa speaks, who stems from the conviction that “the shock in wars does not end with an end.” The event… and it may even begin after that,” he said about his experiences in the pressures of war, saying: “My relationship with this field began directly after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, when the extent of the psychological impact on society was enormous. The matter was not limited to the trauma resulting from the invasion, but there was also a large number of people who were suffering from previous psychological problems since the seventies and eighties, but they were not treated due to the culture of stigma associated with mental health at that time. After the invasion, this reality changed clearly, and awareness began to increase, especially with the state’s awareness-raising efforts, which led to a very large demand for psychological services. He added, “The problem that emerged at that stage was that the demand increased suddenly and dramatically, but there was not a sufficient number of qualified specialists to meet this demand.” This led to the entry of insufficiently qualified people into the field, especially in light of the absence of clear regulation at that time, as some clinics were opened through commercial licenses without adequate oversight of scientific qualification and training, and sometimes these licenses were bought and sold as if they were a purely commercial activity, which affected the quality of service. He added, “Later, during my training and work at Bellevue Hospital in New York, I dealt with former prisoners of war, which gave me a deep understanding of the psychological effects that extend over time. In the last four years, I have been working continuously with war-related cases, by supervising doctors working with refugees from Gaza, as well as supporting psychological care providers within the sector itself, which gave me a direct understanding of trauma in constantly stressful environments, and not just after it ends. Too much news… more anxiety Al-Mutawa, who believes that “too much news does not mean more awareness… but sometimes more anxiety,” affirmed that “constant exposure to news, especially through social media, makes a person experience the event in a different way.” Repeatedly, as if he was being exposed to it directly. The brain does not always differentiate between actual experience and repeated viewing, so this repetition can amplify anxiety and a feeling of danger, even if it is not direct. When the outside world is unstable, a person needs fixed points in his day that give him a sense of control. Even small matters such as sleeping and eating times, or work and rest times help reorganize the nervous system and reduce the feeling of chaos.” Between fear… and a feeling of helplessness, Al-Mutawa considered that “the feeling of helplessness is one of the most widespread feelings in times of war, because it results from a loss of control over major events that the individual cannot influence. This feeling may increase anxiety if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to redirect attention towards what can be controlled, even if it is simple, because this shift from a feeling of helplessness to a feeling of ability, even in a limited way, has a major psychological impact.” Feeling… “Safety Guilt” Regarding some people’s feeling of guilt because they are in relative safety, Al-Mutawa said: “This feeling is sometimes known as survivor’s guilt, and it is a natural feeling that occurs when a person compares himself to others who suffer more.” The problem is not the existence of this feeling, but rather how to deal with it. If it turns into self-flagellation, it may be harmful. But if it is directed towards compassion or giving, it can become a positive factor that helps a person find meaning in what he is going through.” Regulating the profession protects society. Al-Mutawa said, “Today we are witnessing an important development in Kuwait, with the strengthening of the role of the Ministry of Health in regulating licenses and ensuring the qualifications of practitioners.” With this change, it has become natural for me to increase my presence in Kuwait, and to devote more time to working and contributing to this positive transformation, while emphasizing the importance of the auditor being careful to ensure the specialist’s license and qualifications, as regulating the profession does not only protect the specialist… but also protects society as a whole.” Al-Mutawa touched on the use of technology, saying, “Before the Corona pandemic, approximately 10 percent of my clients were receiving treatment online using platforms such as (Zoom) or (Google Meet). With the beginning of the pandemic, this number turned to 100 percent, as all patients began receiving psychological support remotely. After the end of that stage, this model continued in a hybrid form, as approximately half of the patients became (online) and the other half in the clinic, which confirms that psychological treatment has become linked to ease of access and not just the place.” “Hypnosis” is closer…linguistically and culturally. Al-Mutawa spoke about the “Hypnosis” application, saying, “I launched the (Hypnosis) application, which was based on hypnosis in classical Arabic, and it was launched very shortly before the Corona pandemic, and approximately ten years before the quarantine. days. This timing contributed to its widespread use during a period when people needed tools to help them deal with anxiety and stress. During the same period, I was offering free sessions via Instagram four times a week, and this direct interaction with people taught me a lot about their real needs, and not just what we assume as professionals. One of the most important things I learned is that people prefer content that is close to them linguistically and culturally, and that the method of presentation is no less important than the content itself.” “Tahun”… correct scientific content in a Gulf dialect. Al-Mutawa, who believes that psychological support is not enough to be scientifically correct, but rather it must be usable, pointed to the “Tahun” platform, saying, “It was developed so that it is closer to people in terms of language and style, and therefore the Gulf dialect was adopted.” The platform offers practical tools, sessions, and multiple support options, and some content is available for free, and is currently used by a number of companies and institutions in the region. The goal of (Tahoun) is not only to provide correct scientific content, but rather to provide content that can actually be used in daily life, especially in times of stress and uncertainty.” Social Responsibility and Giving Al-Mutawa pointed to “the importance of social responsibility and giving,” explaining, “I allocate approximately 25 percent to 30 percent of my time to provide free workshops and lectures, with the support of (Soon) and the (Tahoun) platform, to various institutions in the Gulf, such as banks, telecommunications companies, and universities, without regard to the size of the institution or Its resources. The goal is for people to have practical tools to help them at this stage.” Naif Al-Mutawa… Bright Stations – Award-winning serial entrepreneur. – Clinical psychologist and sex therapist. – Hypnotherapist. – Founder of the Sukoon Clinic for psychological treatment and evaluation, which is considered one of the most prominent professional bodies specialized in providing a wide range of psychological services in the State of Kuwait. – Founder of Neuropsychcare, the first center specializing in neuropsychology in Kuwait. – Founder of the Tenweem application, the first Arab hypnosis application Al-Eyahi, and one of the founders of Tuhoon, a mental health technology startup. – He is licensed to practice psychology in New York State, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. – He has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples (married and unmarried), and families. – Member of the American Psychological Association and the American Association of Sexual Health Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). – Trained At the Milton Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis in New York (NYSEPH). Perinatology from PSI International. – Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, and a member of the academic staff at the College of Medicine at Kuwait University, where he has taught clinical psychology, communication skills, and cognitive behavioral therapy since 2005. – He previously served as Chief of Supervision of Psychotherapy Training at Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital. – He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Long Island University. – He also received a master’s degree in the same specialty. – He was awarded a second honorary doctorate from the same university in May 2019, and he also obtained a third doctorate in sex therapy from the Modern Sex Therapy Institute in 2021. He also holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Columbia University, in addition to a certificate in conflict resolution from the same university. As for his university studies, he completed it at Tufts University, where he specialized in three fields: clinical psychology, English literature, and history. – He has extensive clinical experience working with former prisoners of war in Kuwait, as well as with the Political Torture Survivors Unit at Bellevue Hospital in New York. – He had direct experience with victims of torture because of their religious and political beliefs, which greatly influenced his writing of an immortal children’s story that won the UNESCO Prize in Literature in the Service of Tolerance. – Creator of the “THE 99” project. The first group of superheroes. This project received wide attention from the international media, as Forbes magazine ranked it among the 20 most prominent global trends, and it also ranked Dr. Nayef among the seven most influential designers in the world. Former US President Barack Obama praised Dr. Nayef and the “THE 99” project and considered it among the most innovative projects among the thousands of entrepreneurs who participated in the Presidential Entrepreneurship Summit. – A distinguished keynote speaker, who covers multiple topics in his lectures, including mental health and entrepreneurship. – He offers workshops on creative problem solving, attention management, stress management, conflict resolution, and anger management, and many private companies and government agencies have used him to train their employees. – He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Albert Ellis Institute in New York City. He also previously served as a member of the Investment Committee of the National Fund for the Care and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kuwait, a member of the Supreme Education Council in Kuwait, and a member of the Board of Directors of the “Future Kids” company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, in addition to Al Jazeera Entertainment Company. He received the Schwab Award for Social Entrepreneurship presented at the World Economic Forum in 2009, and was also selected among the global young leaders at the World Economic Forum for the year 2011.
