A Call to Care: Mental Health in the Arab American Community

posted on: May 20, 2026

By Adel B. Korkor/Arab America Contributing Writer

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are a people of strength, coming from a history rich in resilience, family, and faith. Our ancestors embraced uncertainty so that future generations could thrive. That story is powerful, but it is not without cost. Today, I write to you as a physician, a father, and a member of this community to share one essential truth: mental health matters for us.

In our homes, we speak openly about physical health, yet we often fall silent regarding depression, anxiety, and addiction. We minimize suffering and tell one another to “be strong,” but this silent pain impacts our families and our future. Across our communities, we are seeing rising stress driven by immigration challenges, financial pressure, and identity struggles.

Our families are our greatest strength, but strength does not mean silence. We must break the stigma; mental illness is not a weakness, but a part of the human experience. Through my work, I have embraced a simple truth: Motion Impacts Emotion. Physical activity improves mental health, reduces stress, and builds resilience.

Each of us must take responsibility:

• Check in with yourself honestly.
• Seek help when needed; it is a sign of strength.
• Stay active and connected.

Families must create space for open conversations, and communities must normalize support. To our youth: you are not alone. To our elders: seeking help honors the life and mind you have been given.

Let us move from silence to conversation and build a community where no one suffers alone. Our greatest strength is not just in what we endure, but in how we care for one another.

Adel B. Korkor, M.D., is a Syrian (Latakia)-born American physician, entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist. A U.S. citizen since 1983, he founded the Adel B. Korkor Foundation in 2017 to support individuals living with mental illness. Dr. Korkor is a former chairman of the board of the Arab America Foundation and remains actively engaged in the Arab American community.

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