DR. AHMED HANKIR
Physician, Senior Research Fellow and Author of “The Wounded Healer” (UK)
Session:
• Day 1: Stigma Amongst Mental Healthcare Professionals
I would describe myself as a proud British Muslim, survivor of psychological trauma/torture, mental health campaigner, researcher and physician working for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. I have an academic post as a Senior Research Fellow with the Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with Cambridge University and I’m also a Professor of Psychiatry with the Carrick Institute for Graduate Studies in Cape Canaveral, USA. I am currently on a path of discovery and I look forward to learning more and to furthering my own personal growth and professional development.
As for my ‘journey’ so far, I was born in Belfast and raised in Dublin and England before moving to Lebanon where I spent my formative years. Though the country was ravaged by civil war, some of the happiest memories in my life were created during this period. Unfortunately the catastrophic consequences of conflict were far-reaching and I was forced to leave my family behind me at 17 years of age. I returned to the UK and started off as a janitor cleaning floors on minimum wage for 70 hours a week to sustain myself. Re-adjusting to the British culture (against a backdrop of Islamophobia and violent extremism (this was around the time of the horrific London 07/07 suicide bombings and there was a spike in anti-Muslim hate crime)) and negotiating my circumstances was challenging however the experience did provide me with a precious insight into what life is like for those who are less fortunate (despite being in full-time employment I still managed to secure the grades necessary to matriculate into medical school which was literally a dream come true for me and my ticket to a better life).
I developed an episode of psychological distress whilst in medical school that was triggered by the 2006 Lebanon War. I was rendered impoverished and homeless and was castigated, derided and ostracized by the community that I once belonged to. I will never, ever forget these experiences of human suffering and struggling which continue to shape my core values and modus operandi. I gradually recovered, resumed my studies with renewed resilience, drive and determination and qualified from medical school in 2011. My life experiences inspired me to strive for excellence and I was fortunate enough to receive the 2013 Royal College of Psychiatrists Foundation Doctor of the Year award which marks the highest level of achievement in psychiatry in the UK.
I am passionate about promoting peaceful co-existence and challenging mental health stigma and Islamophobia. I also have an interest in widening participation into medical school and promoting ‘parity of esteem’ between physical health and mental health. I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to advocate for people who have mental health issues and to receive recognition for my services.