In Egypt, there are common myths and misconceptions about the public image of psychology, including a belief that mental health is a sign of weakness in the faith, people who need psychiatric care should be locked away in special institutions and so on due to the significant role of religion in Egyptians’ lives. Egyptians who seek help from a religious healer may do so because they believe that emotional or interpersonal symptoms are due to the evil eye, black magic or even influence from the jinn or spirits.
Moreover, societal challenges include urban poverty and slum areas, illiteracy, economic hardships and unemployment. These socio-economic hardships contribute to the national burden of mental illness, substance abuse and youth behavior problems (Amer, 2013). Egyptians who suffer these mental health problems, however, avoid seeking professional services for fear of shame and loss of family honor.