People often talk about the physical strains of the coronavirus and the ramifications the pandemic has had on businesses. But is enough being said about how it has affected mental health?
Many lost their jobs as the pandemic took hold, and those who didn’t may have found working from home has put a strain on their mental wellbeing.
Then there are the social distancing measures and the travel restrictions, as well as the grave news from around the world that seems to just keep coming.
It's easy to see how the past few months could have impacted a person’s mental health, which in turn can have serious consequences in all areas of your life.
That's why a group of runners in Ras Al Khaimah are planning to take on a marathon, in the hopes of raising awareness about mental health. On Friday, August 14, the five runners will scale the top of Jebel Jais and back, a distance spanning 42 kilometres, to raise funds for the Al Jalila Foundation.
“Many have been negatively affected by the pandemic,” Nasar Husain, an organiser of the event and one of the marathon runners, says. “In light of everything that’s been going on over the last few months, we thought it would be a good idea to communicate the importance of staying active, especially when it comes to our mental wellbeing. We want to inspire others to start talking about mental health issues, and how anxiety and depression can affect people."
Husain, who works as a wall-climbing instructor and is a frequent participant in local marathons, says the charity run is expected to take around six hours. The group will run to a check point near to Jebel Jais's summit – considered to be the highest point in the UAE – before running back.
“It’s a challenge definitely, but what better way to speak up about mental health than overcoming a challenge,” Husain says. “The five runners are all part of various fitness and endurance communities in the UAE.”
Husain says that they would have liked to invite more runners to participate with them but they had to be conscious of social distancing measures.
“There will be a few supporting runners who will participate in the event. They won’t run the whole distance but will be there as a show of support. Still, we are making sure not to let too many people take part,” he says. “Safety first.”
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
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Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company%20profile
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Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
57%20Seconds
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