Talk to Yasmina

Passionate about mental health

She's bubbly, sharp, energetic, and self-aware. She knows what she knows and knows what she doesn't know. Mental health is her thing. Coffee is not. Yet, she indulged me with a chat around a coffee table and got straight to it.

"Talking is good," she says. Talking is therapeutic. You can talk about the decisions you're about to make, your challenges, and the changes in your life. You can talk about big decisions such as which university to attend, whether to travel abroad or stay at home, and whether to be influenced by family and friends. In her culture, people are more family-oriented and don't think of themselves first. The tribe has an influence. Your own image is based on how people view you. It's especially true when you're young and don't know yourself.

Yasmina and her sisters

She's dedicating time and effort to get to know herself better. At 20, and with one year to graduate with a degree in psychology, she wants to self-discover to put herself first. "Who is Yasmina?" she asks.

"I'm different like everyone else is different. People expect us to be the same, behave the same, and conform."

Her biggest challenge today is to decide what's next after graduation. She's leaving her home country for a graduate school that secures her a good job later.

"Unfortunately, my expectation of getting a graduate degree and returning home for a career is not the most prudent anymore."

Yasmina says that she has so much to learn. She tells me more about her options, pauses, and says: "I'm still very young. I'm still 20. How am I supposed to know. Right?" while smiling and asking for reassurance.

Mental health is her passion

Psychology is her way of getting there. She's intrigued by human nature and wants to understand people. It's okay not to be okay. We need to talk to someone about our feelings. Seeking mental health help is essential. Sometimes, you need someone outside your family and friends to talk to.

Expressive, concerned, dedicated and passionate

Let's say you're stressed and need to complain. People either tell you that life is tough and to get it together, look at how less fortunate others are, or give you advice.

"I don't need you to tell me about life nor how to feel. Don't give me advice. I just need you to listen. Just let me let off some steam."

For the people feeling guilty about the Beirut explosion, everyone was impacted. If you haven't been physically affected, you probably got emotional scars. We need to speak about it. It's expected to be upset, sad, and angry. It's good to feel grateful, but it's also important to vent it out. It will fester and surface later if you don't address it now.

She's encouraged to pursue such a career. She has a gift for understanding people and enjoys observing their behavior alone and with each other. She's easy to talk to. She likes that what she wants to do has a higher purpose and enjoys doing it.

"I love to raise awareness about mental health and to actually help people. I want to be on the ground. One day, I will, when I'm professionally qualified!"

Evolving Yasmina

Are you comfortable with yourself today? With calm and confidence: "Yes." The "yes" that does not need to be justified nor proven to anyone.

She's come a long way since her school years. In two years at uni, she's conquered a lot. Her grades weren't good at school, and she used to put herself down, even when people around would always encourage her. She was her worst critic. Then, she forfeited going to Canada and decided to study something she liked at Notre Dame University in Lebanon. NDU turned out to have a friendly environment and a manageable community size. She feels close to other students and faculty and is comfortable that no one cares what you wear or which bag you carry. As importantly, she's blossomed into an A-student, acquiring scholarships along the way.

At school and with 12 students in the class, she used to shake when presenting. Today, she zooms through a 45-minute presentation until they kick her off the stage. Her decision to do her undergraduate studies in Lebanon was the best for her. She is closer to her parents and siblings and develops in a safe environment. She was shy and now is more confident.

A highly sensitive person

In her research, she discovered she's a 'highly sensitive' person — her nervous system is sensitive to sensory stimulations. Smaller things are amplified. Smells are stronger. Tastes are more potent. Feelings are more acute. Sounds are deeply felt. Sleep is highly needed.

She used to think that something was wrong with her until she found this YouTube community. She hasn't felt alone since. There are people like her, and it's not wrong to feel that way. When you know other people like you, you feel better. She learned to work things to her advantage.

She pushes forward

Put yourself as a priority. Work on your weaknesses. Accept things you can't change and live with them. Use your weaknesses to your advantage if you can. Know what is wrong and work on it. Become your better self and keep at it. It does not end here. As you grow up, you need to constantly feel that you're getting better. If you don't think you're progressing, you're not growing.

Yas.Me.Time

She feels happier and healthier. She has challenges like any other person and works on fixing or managing problems. Sometimes, staying busy distracts from important matters such as spending time with ourselves, meditating, doing sports, listening to music, or just being still.

“I love being alone. I need my “Me Time”. Yasmina time. My Yas.Me.Time.”

Being alone for Yasmina is relaxing. She knows where she is today, and she is happy with that. Starting early to take care of ourselves should be a priority. How can you face life's challenges if you're not mentally well? She explains not to confuse yes.me.time with selfishness. She can care for others much better when she's taken care of herself. Concentrating on her studies, sports, music, and time alone will only give her the energy to dedicate time to family, friends, and scouts.

Yasmina’s Instagram

Starbucks drink: When she drinks coffee, it’s coconut milk grande frappuccino.