WHO WE ARE
BioPsySocial aims to provide a scientific and compassionate perspective on mental health research, practice, and ethics by incorporating biological, psychological, and sociological lenses. We also cover other topics related to the brain, mind, and behavior. It was launched in May 2023 in Beirut, Lebanon, by a medical student with a background in psychology.
THE BRIEF STORY
My name is Alexander Abi Saad, and I am a final-year medical student at Saint George University of Beirut in Lebanon. From a young age, I have developed a keen interest in mental health and writing. As an aspiring psychiatrist with a busy schedule, I use this blog when I have the time to say something out loud about the mind, based on literature/books/media, and my own experiences. I am particularly interested in OCD, mood disorders, creative writing, and AI, so topics might often relate to those domains. If you want to contribute to my vision (below), I would welcome a guest blogger.
THE LONGER VISION
- Mental health is a central facet of our human condition in today’s world. People from all different backgrounds across the globe deserve access to the most suitable, personalized, and effective mental health care and information. To achieve that, it is essential to continue the scientific inquiry on mental health research and its dissemination.
- Mental health is a complex phenomenon that is the interactive result of a multitude of factors, such as biological, psychological, and sociological. This is referred to as the biopsychological model, from which our name derives.
- Although the biopsychosocial model has been considered a standard for decades in mental health, most research continues to examine its facets separately. Our reporting will try to bridge the connection further, relating the three aspects together as much as possible and with a special focus on research that integrates all of them, not just studying one at a time.
- We oppose biological denialism, as we believe biology and medicine have an important role in understanding and promoting mental health. At the same time, we deny biological reductionism and genetic determinism. While we believe biology is an important factor in mental health, it is not the sole contributor. One can best understand a person’s mental health by looking at their context and environment as well, not just their inherent biology.
- We believe mental health research sometimes overmedicalizes human distress, and we strive to fight against that while also understanding the very important role medicine can play in improving people’s mental health and quality of life.
- We believe in accessible scientific language that is both easy-to-understand but also remains accurately reflective of the actual findings.
- We believe mental health poses unique ethical challenges in both research and clinical settings and these deserve important coverage – which we will strive to offer.
- We understand that mental health debates, even regarding scientific evidence, are often polarized. We seek to reach a balance between different sides while remaining faithful to the scientific and ethical aspects.
- Finally, we reiterate that mental health is a central domain in our human lives. We believe the combination of better science, information, and more compassion will lead to better mental health for everyone. And we’re here to support this journey.
Contact Us
If you have any inquiry or want to write for us, feel free to email me at alexander.abisaad@gmail.com.