The Value of Increased Mental Health understanding: A Festival Focus & Personal Reflection
The “Medveest” festival, dedicated to the intersection of medicine, mental health, and film, distinguishes itself through its specialized focus and freedom from temporal constraints in its selection of works. According to festival organizer Sherif Noureddine, the festival’s core strength lies in its direct engagement with psychiatric topics and exploration of how art can positively influence understanding. He notes the festival has evolved over its seven sessions while maintaining this central direction, establishing itself as a importent event in its field.
noureddine highlighted a crucial societal shift: the growing public interest in mental health. He attributes this change to a combination of awareness campaigns and,importantly,portrayals within dramatic works. This increased understanding of conditions like ADHD and personality disorders, he explained, fosters greater empathy and informed interaction in both professional and personal contexts.
“It is very crucial that we know more,” Noureddine emphasized, “we can exaggerate knowledge, but this is better than complete ignorance of psychological problems.” He illustrated this point by noting how a lack of understanding has historically lead to the destruction of homes and relationships, with individuals unknowingly reacting to genuine psychological needs.
Journalist Sherif Nour el-din addressed the often-untreated issue of harmful relationships, particularly their impact on women, who are disproportionately affected by psychological and physical harm within these dynamics.He celebrated the increasing openness surrounding these experiences as a positive societal change, suggesting that public discussion can deter potential abusers and challenge harmful societal norms surrounding dominance and silence.He stated that speaking out is crucial, as silence perpetuates harm.
Noureddine also shared his personal experience with psychotherapy, revealing he sought support after the death of his father. He described feeling an urgent need for balance and acknowledging his inability to cope with the grief alone. He affirmed the profound benefits of this decision, not only in navigating his emotional pain but also in achieving a deeper self-understanding and improved ability to manage life’s challenges.
The seventh session of the “Medveest” festival launched in September 2025 with media activities led by Sharif Nour El-Din, continuing its mission to bridge the gap between psychological awareness and societal understanding.
