Abstract of S. Diab lecture

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES IN THE ARAB

SOCIETY IN ISRAEL

S. Diab

JDC Israel

"Mental illness" and "mental health disability" are considered taboo in

public discourse in the Arab society in Israel. This stems from lack of

knowledge, lack of information and lack of clarity regarding this type of

disability. The rate of people with mental health disability in Arab

society who exercise their right to a NII disability allowance (out of the

total adult disabled) is very low (8%) compared to the Jewish society

(65%). Given the need to develop culturally competent responses for

this population, and following the success of the "Masira Program for

the Advancement of the Status of People with Disabilities in the Arab

Society in Israel" among people with physical and sensory disabilities,

it was decided to expand the Masira Program to develop services for

people with mental health disability in the south Triangle region, which

is poor in services. A report prepared by Masira addresses the attitude

of the Muslim Arab society toward the mentally ill, and describes

difficulties that people with mental health disabilities and their family

members face – socially and in accessing services. Apprehension of

mental health services is due to: stigmas; lack of knowledge and

information; linguistic and cultural barriers; geographic distances; and

difficulty in getting to the few services that exist. The presentation will

include findings from the report and feedback from preliminary

activities in the field, for example training workshops adapted to the

Arab society, for Imams and social workers.