There’s a quiet strength in the women I work with—especially the Albanian women. Many of us grew up learning to keep our heads down, our voices soft, and our pain hidden. We were told to be strong, to sacrifice, to carry the family’s needs before our own. And while these messages were often wrapped in love or survival, they’ve come at a cost to our mental health…

In Albanian culture, strength is often measured by how much pain a man can endure without showing it. From a young age, boys are told “Mos qaj, burrat nuk qajnë” (Don’t cry, men don’t cry). But what happens when pain has nowhere to go? It doesn’t disappear—it turns into something else…

Many Albanians believe therapy is only for severe cases, that talking about problems doesn’t help, or that seeking support is a sign of weakness. These beliefs prevent many from getting the help they need. Let’s break down some of the most common myths about therapy…

For Albanians, the scars of war, dictatorship, colonialism, and economic instability run deep. The fear and survival strategies we, our parents, and grandparents developed continue to shape how we think, feel, and relate today…

One of the strengths of the Albanian community is our commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions. However, there is also an opportunity to shift how we respond to shame, fostering better individual and collective well-being…

A recent study (Hyseni Duraku et al., 2023) provides valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by students in Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania...

In Albanian families, where pride, resilience, and collective honor are deeply valued, discussing mental health struggles can feel like breaking an unspoken rule…

Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet it remains a topic surrounded by stigma in many cultures, including the Albanian community…