Living in Saudi Arabia - Abortion, Bullying & Depression | Hélène + Dr. Stephanos | EP 03

Health Pod: Mental Health, Psychology & Spirituality

This is the third episode of the HEALTH POD with Hélène and Dr. Stephanos.
In this episode we talk about our intense and valuable experience of living in probably the most controversial Arabic country, Saudi Arabia.
After Dr.Stephanos was offered a prestigious job in one of their top universities, we spent six years of our lives there trying to somehow blend in a culture that was so foreign to us.

Life in Saudi Arabia was not easy. As a woman, I faced many struggles and was constantly subjected to discrimination and prejudice. In a way it was quite difficult to adapt to the strict cultural and religious norms that governed life in Saudi Arabia.

The situation worsened when I found out that I was pregnant. The decision became even more difficult when we found out that the baby had a serious medical condition. The doctors recommended an abortion, but it was illegal in Saudi Arabia.

Despite being successful in his career, Dr. Stephanos was finding it hard to adjust to life in Saudi Arabia. He was also struggling with the long working hours, the workplace bullying and the pressure of his job. The stress and the loneliness took a toll on him, and he sank into depression.

During our years in Saudi, we've both found ourselves at an ultimate all-time low in our lives. While we were struggling with our own problems, the cultural and social barriers in Saudi Arabia made it hard for us to find support. Feeling isolated and alone, we longed for the familiarity of our home country.

Our journey in Saudi Arabia was a difficult one, and it took a toll on our physical and emotional health at one point. We were forced to make difficult decisions that would impact our lives forever. However, our experience also taught us resilience and strength. Despite facing many struggles, we learned to rely on each other and to find support in the face of adversity. Our bond only grew stronger.
Instagram
Hélène - @iamhelenealexiioannides
Dr.Stephanos - @drstephanos_neuroscientist

Contact us with questions, ideas, or feedback:
Health Pod Podcast
Follow our socials:
@iamhelenealexiioannides
@drstephanos_neuroscientist
@wearehealthpod
Support the Show:
Share this episode with a friend
Give us a review in your listening app of choice