On Friday, February 17th of 2017, Fiona Barron and Saleem Ali hosted the Happiness Festival, an event in Dubai centred on reclaiming joy through better mental health. The festival celebrated the meaning of true happiness, a deep positive emotion that is closely connected to gratitude, purpose, and a healthy sense of self.

The Theory of Happiness

Saleem Ali and Fiona Barron founded the Happiness Hub, which helps businesses improve engagement and boost wellness among employees. The two co-founders share a passion for positivity and mental health. “A lot of people see happiness as smiling and a skippy personality, but it is much more than that,” explains Fiona Barron, who is a clinical psychologist. “It’s not just about people laughing, but positive emotion, gratitude, focus in the ¬moment, being a part of the social community and having a purpose that is greater than ourselves and accomplishing a goal.”

A Non-Threatening Place to Discuss Mental Health

The idea for the festival came as Barron and Ali were trying to think of a way to open conversations about mental health for larger groups of people. They decided that the Happiness Festival would provide the ideal non-threatening setting for these important discussions. A number of experts, including psychologists, therapists, and lifestyle coaches, appeared at the festival. Each one hosted a different talk, conducted a demonstration, or presented a physical activity for participants.

The Damage Done by Social Media

Senior clinical psychologist Dr. Marie Thompson, who works at Lifeworks Holistic Counselling Centre in Dubai, claims that social media and modern societal pressure have had a detrimental effect on the human view of happiness. “People are constantly pressured to feel a certain way based on how they see other people’s curated lives online and they feel that they are not as happy as they should be when they compare,” she says. She worries that this kind of unrealistic view of happiness can actually lead to disappointment and depression.

The Role of Non-Traditional Therapies

“People who are depressed or anxious don’t always feel comfortable seeking help. Sometimes traditional ¬methods of therapy seem threatening,” says Sarah Powell, an art psychotherapist. “Art or expressive therapy is one way to address deep rooted problems.” At the Happiness Festival, she and others presented sessions about positivity, enhancing mood with music, and addressing psychological stress using art or dance. Following a similar philosophy of treatment, Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic is currently employing art therapy in Singapore to treat patients.

Finding Relief and Happiness

If you’re feeling panicked, anxious, fearful, or depressed, take time to think carefully about the things you really want in life. A visit to the caring Singapore psychiatrists at Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic can help you identify any triggers, compulsions, or obsessions that may be robbing you of the joy that you deserve to have.

Call to set up a consultation at our location, one of the top clinics for depression in Singapore. We also offer treatment and therapy for anxiety disorders, addictions, and related behaviours that are affecting your life. Why live with stress and fear? Seek help today and reclaim your happiness.

News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic

Source: The National, Feb 14, 2017