by Rayana Khalaf

One in four Lebanese individuals will suffer from mental illness in his/her lifetime. Every 2.5 days, one person commits suicide. This week, 20-year-old business student, dancer and social activist Nourhan Hammoud ended her life, shocking her community in Lebanese, where she had many friends and fans. Her death not only only prompted grief and condolences, but also gave way to judgement and criticism, sparking intense debate among the Lebanese.

And it drew some much needed attention to the country’s deficient mental health syste Discussion about mental illness in Lebanese society is often hushed and ridiculed. They are widely viewed as trivial, temporary or self-healing, taking a backseat to political and economic turmoil that is a mainstay of the country. Things are even worse for migrant domestic workers, who receive minimal protection from Lebanese authorities against widespread abuse. One domestic worker commits suicide in Lebanon each month, according to Think Progress.

By Emmanuel Haddad - Middle East Eye

BEIRUT - Hamza welcomes the Red Cross team in his living room. He smiles and looks at them trying to make their way through the small room, passing his three children to reach washed-out sofas. The Red Cross came to take DNA samples. Hamza’s brother Abbass went missing during the Lebanese Civil War.