Rethinking well-being in Omani workplaces

Salim, a 30-year-old employee in a private company, arrives late for his therapy session.
He had just finished his evening master’s classes, a degree he had long dreamed of pursuing to advance his career.
His employer could not release him for full-time study, so he enrolled in an evening programme, determined to manage both work and education.
At home, his pregnant wife often expressed how exhausted she felt from caring for their two young children.
Salim feels constantly guilty for not spending time with his kids before they go to bed. During weekends, while other families gathered for outings or rest, Salim headed to the library to work on his assignments.
His wife continued to complain that he was never available for her or the children, and the tension at home grew. With time, Salim became more stressed.
He started to feel persistently low in mood, slept poorly, and found it increasingly difficult to concentrate at work.
The pressure mounted when his university grades dropped, pushing him into a deeper sense of failure and despair. He wanted help, but he didn’t know where to start, and like many others, he hesitated.
Many employees who juggle work, studies, and family responsibilities discover themselves overwhelmed yet reluctant to seek psychological support.
Several misconceptions and fears keep people trapped in silent suffering, often for months or even years.
One of the main misconceptions is believing that struggling emotionally is a sign of weakness and that one should 'push through' without seeking professional help. Others mistakenly link their anxiety or stress to weak faith, falling into a cycle of self-blame even though their difficulties may have nothing to do with religion. Stigma, or the fear of being labelled 'mentally ill,' is still an obstacle in Oman and other Arab cultures. This leads many employees to withdraw and shy away from seeking professional help; instead, they try to cope alone while their well-being and work performance deteriorate.
Another common misconception is believing that psychological therapy is merely talk that anyone or any social media video can provide, which undermines the value of professional intervention and discourages people from seeking therapy. Even when a person decides to consult a health care professional, unhealthy behaviours such as procrastination and hesitation make them wonder, 'Is therapy even useful?' while their suffering stretches on.
Sometimes, a single negative encounter with an inexperienced or unskilled therapist may lead a person to believe that therapy as a whole does not work, discouraging them from ever seeking the support they genuinely need.
A few years ago, I attended a well-being at work summit Middle East in Muscat where corporate representatives evidence-based interventions that are truly effective, rather than merely serving as a checkbox for accreditation.
I remember a presenter who shared his experience living with bipolar disorder while getting the right support from his manager which helped him achieve a higher position in his career.
We need to shift the conversation toward what employees in Oman really need while benefiting from best practices elsewhere. So keep an eye on events and be part of the conversation.