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Mindscapes Moves Mental Health from Conversation to Cause

Mindscapes Moves Mental Health from Conversation to Cause

Beirut, Lebanon – Mindscapes is a fundraising event that brought together art, theatre, and conversation in support of Embrace, Lebanon’s mental health NGO.

Held at Arthaus, Gemmayze on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January 2026, the two-night experience invited people to slow down, feel deeply, and reflect through local art, a moving solo play, and open discussions.

Born from a shared desire to support mental well-being, Mindscapes was created by Carla Abou Jaoude and Rim Chehab, with Executive Women Global as media sponsor. From the start, the intention was simple: “We wanted people to feel mental health, not just talk about it,” shared Abou Jaoude and Chehab.

The emotional depth of Mindscapes was matched by its purpose: proceeds support Embrace, providing life-saving mental health services across Lebanon at a time when such support is a lifeline, not a luxury.

An Experience in Three Parts

Art Exhibition

A curated exhibition by Lebanese artists and designers, including Fadia Ahmad, Patricia Vivian, Danny Tannous, Carol Maalouf, Nissrine Baaklini, Tamim Metlej, Christine Nehmo, Lara Agopian, Carina Baklayan, Roula Freiha, and Jihan Chehayeb, offered quiet moments of recognition rather than explanation.

Theatre: “Insomnia”

A solo psychological performance by Marcel Ghosn followed Jimmy’s inner dialogue with a teddy bear. In the stillness of the room, themes of loneliness, betrayal, persuasion, and emotional pain surfaced gently but honestly. The audience didn’t just watch, they felt it together. A subtle reminder whispered: You’re not alone.

Panel Discussions

Moderated by Mia Atwi, Co-founder and President of Embrace, the panels helped turn emotion into understanding.

Night One (Tuesday, 20 Jan): Dr. Farid Talih, Dr. Ghena Ismail, and Nathalie Issa shared insights that grounded the evening in care and clarity.
Night Two (Wednesday, 21 Jan): Dr. Mariange Nohra, Alia Ismail, and Nathalie Issa spoke openly about healing, pain, betrayal, and boundaries.

In a country where people carry so much quietly, Mindscapes created a rare pause, a space where it felt okay to stop being strong and simply be human. “You could feel it in the room,” shared Abou Jaoude and Chehab. “In the tears people didn’t hide, the small nods of recognition, the conversations that started with ‘I felt that too.’

Some of the most powerful moments happened in the audience, when people shared thoughts they don’t usually say out loud. Mindscapes didn’t try to fix anything. It did something quieter and more important: it brought people together. It showed that healing doesn’t always begin with answers, but with being heard and knowing someone else feels it too.

Meet the Minds Behind Mindscapes

A Conversation with Carla Abou Jaoude and Rim Chehab

Why did you come together to create this?

Carla and I came together because we both believe mental health is deeply connected to culture, art, and how we relate to one another. We wanted to create something real, a space where people could pause, reflect, and connect honestly. Every element was chosen with care: the artworks and theatre piece spoke to the idea that pain often starts at home, and mental well-being grows in everyday moments. Even cute touches, like the teddy bear photo activation “Pick a bear, choose your mood, take a selfie,” made the experience relatable and inviting. Carla’s personal bear collection was displayed in a temporary theatre we created for the event at Arthaus Hotel, a space rooted in culture and creativity that was perfect for Mindscapes. What happened went beyond the stage, living on in the audience through shared words, stories, and moments of silence. Mental health isn’t abstract; it begins in the everyday moments that shape who we are.

Meet the Minds Behind Mindscapes

We didn’t want people to just attend an event; we wanted them to move through an experience. Art opens feelings that are hard to name. Theatre builds empathy. Conversations help people make sense of what they feel. Together, they make mental health personal and relatable. At Mindscapes, people listen to each other. There’s no pressure to explain or to be okay.

Why Embrace, and why now?

Lebanon has lived through years of crisis and uncertainty. Many people keep going, but inside they’re exhausted. Mental health care is not optional; it’s essential. Embrace provides real, accessible support when people feel overwhelmed or alone. Supporting them means supporting lives.

What comes next?

The impact goes beyond finances. It’s emotional and social, opening conversations, reducing shame, and encouraging people to ask for help. Mindscapes was built on the belief that healing happens when people come together. Pausing in front of an artwork, taking a breath during the play, or opening up to someone they didn’t know revealed how shared spaces allow people to soften, even briefly. We believe Mindscapes will continue to grow, creating spaces across Lebanon where people can feel, share, and connect naturally.