Who We Are
WFMH Board Candidates for Election
2025-2027
Alsayyida Basma Al Said
Country: Oman
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
Nominator: Nasser Loza
Candidate 1000 word statement
HH Sayyida Dr. Basma Al Said is a clinical mental health specialist with over 26 years of experience across the government, academic, and private sectors. She has dedicated her career to advancing mental health awareness, trauma-informed care, and culturally inclusive advocacy in Oman and across the Gulf region. Her passion for supporting vulnerable communities and developing innovative mental health programs is at the heart of her work, and she seeks to bring that same commitment and regional insight to the Board of the World Federation for Mental Health.
In 2011, Sayyida Basma founded Whispers of Serenity, Oman’s first private mental health clinic focused on both clinical excellence and community outreach. Through her leadership, the clinic became a nationally recognized center for integrated mental health services. She introduced advanced therapeutic approaches to the region, including Clinical Hypnotherapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, which she studied at Harvard University. She also completed Mental Health First Aid training through Johns Hopkins University. Her clinical work is grounded in evidence-based methods that are adapted for the cultural context of the Middle East.
Her advocacy efforts extend far beyond her clinic. In 2014, she launched the Not Alone campaign, a pioneering national initiative to combat stigma and raise mental health awareness through creative outreach, storytelling, and public education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign established a mental health crisis messaging support line, offering accessible psychological assistance to youth, elderly populations, and healthcare workers. This service has since expanded its support to people affected by humanitarian emergencies in Palestine, Beirut, Syria, Türkiye, Morocco, and Libya.
Sayyida Basma’s work is also deeply rooted in humanitarianism. She has designed a trauma-informed children’s room used in courts and police stations in Oman to protect children during legal procedures. She co-authored a Rehabilitation and Guidance Manual with therapist Nourhan Sakhsoukh, aimed at helping individuals reintegrate into society after incarceration or trauma. She also led a women’s abuse support initiative in collaboration with Lea Solidarité Femmes in France, and in 2025 signed formal partnerships with organizations addressing substance use and HIV/AIDS to provide targeted mental health services.
As a global voice in mental health, Sayyida Basma has delivered five TEDx talks and over one thousand workshops and seminars in both regional and international settings. She has spoken on various platforms, including events organized by the World Humanitarian Forum, and her advocacy has been featured in leading publications such as Forbes US and MENA, CNN Arabia, Vogue Arabia, and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. She also hosts mental health podcast episodes in collaboration with regional public figures to engage Gulf communities in open dialogue. In 2022, she became the first Arab judge appointed to The Diana Award and was the first Omani to be invited by Prince William to attend the award ceremony in 2023.
Although not currently a formal member of WFMH, Sayyida Basma has long followed and admired the Federation’s work. She intends to join the organization officially in 2025 and hopes to represent the Gulf region by contributing her regional expertise, clinical experience, and cultural understanding to its global mission. Her presence on the Board would offer a fresh perspective that reflects the voices and needs of Arabic-speaking communities, and she is prepared to support program development, public education campaigns, and regional outreach on behalf of WFMH.
She identifies as a mental health professional, trauma therapist, NGO founder and director, public educator, and advocate. Her key skills include program development, culturally adapted mental health advocacy, trauma-informed system design, and strategic communication. As a seasoned speaker and collaborative leader, she is confident in contributing to board discussions, public events, and cross-regional initiatives. She brings with her a spirit of cooperation, innovation, and compassion for marginalized and underrepresented groups.
Sayyida Basma is willing and able to participate in all Board-related meetings, whether in person, through virtual platforms, or via written correspondence. She has no limitations that would hinder her engagement and remains enthusiastic about contributing her expertise and energy to the advancement of WFMH’s mission.
By joining the Board, she hopes to strengthen WFMH’s visibility and impact in the Arab region while learning from global colleagues. She envisions a future where culturally diverse approaches are embraced, and where mental health is universally prioritized through collaboration, education, and mutual respect.
Candidate additional statement if provided