Name, Role, and Volunteering Duration:

Ghaith Sandouk – Founder – Since 2019

When did you start your activities as a volunteer group, and how many members are you now?

We started in October 2019, reaching 30 volunteers at our peak. Currently, we are five volunteers.

What motivated you to establish this group?

• The motivation behind founding the Bogeyman Initiative was the significant and noticeable increase in bullying, especially with the spread of social media, which unfortunately has become a platform for bullying.
• Today, more than ever, we find ourselves unintentionally engaging in actions, comments, and behaviors that are classified as bullying, regardless of our cultural backgrounds, social classes, or educational levels. We are both victims and perpetrators, often getting swept up in the waves of social media trends.
• The establishment of the Bogeyman Initiative came from our deep awareness of the harmful impact of bullying and hate speech, particularly in Arab societies, where mental health discussions are still stigmatized.
• We believe that awareness is the first step toward change, which is why we created a digital youth-led platform that speaks to the target audience in a relatable language, offering trusted scientific content that promotes a culture of acceptance and respect.

About the Founder

• Ghaith Sandouq is a Syrian IT engineer, social entrepreneur, and digital content creator focused on social issues.
• He founded Al-Ba’ba’, a youth-led, volunteer-based, non-profit Arabic-speaking initiative dedicated to combatting bullying in Arab communities and raising awareness about youth and adolescent mental health through high-quality, engaging digital content.
• Al-Ba’ba’ is distinguished by its youth-friendly language and collaborations with social media influencers to deliver impactful awareness messages.
• The initiative has reached hundreds of thousands of young people in the Arab world. In 2022 alone, it engaged over 2.1 million youth.
• Ghaith has represented Arab youth in several regional and international forums and has trained over 350 young people on social issues, including 100 activists specializing in digital anti-bullying efforts.
• He also works with various tech companies and holds a Bachelor’s degree in IT Engineering.

What Activities and Services Do You Offer?

Production of Specialized Digital Content on Mental Health

We develop comprehensive digital content, including educational articles, awareness videos, visual programs, and podcasts focused on mental health. Our content is characterized by an engaging and youth-friendly style while maintaining a scientific foundation to reach the widest possible target audience.

Awareness Campaigns to Reduce Stigma and Promote Mental Well-being

We launch digital and field awareness campaigns to correct misconceptions about mental health and combat the stigma associated with seeking psychological support. Through these campaigns, we aim to foster a culture of acceptance and respect, creating a more conscious and supportive community environment for mental well-being.

Workshops and Training Programs on Mental and Social Awareness

We provide specialized workshops targeting youth, parents, and educators to equip them with an understanding of mental health as a key factor in quality of life. These training programs cover stress management strategies, methods for building a supportive environment, and peer mental health support skills. We also focus on enhancing individuals’ abilities to navigate daily psychological challenges in a scientific and practical way.

Providing Safe Spaces for Psychological Support and Social Interaction

We believe in the importance of having safe platforms where individuals can express their emotions and experiences without fear of judgment or stigma. Therefore, we offer online mental health support spaces, allowing participants to engage with mental health specialists and share their stories in an environment that encourages acceptance and mutual support.

Producing Visual Programs Discussing Psychological Issues from a Scientific Perspective

We create visual programs that combine awareness and interaction, addressing a wide range of mental health topics in an engaging and informative manner.

Developing Educational Booklets on Mental Health and Coping with Bullying

We prioritize creating and distributing specialized educational booklets that aim to raise awareness about mental health. These resources provide accurate and practical information to help individuals understand themselves better and manage their emotions constructively. The booklets cover various topics related to mental health.

Organizing Interactive Activities to Enhance Community Awareness of Mental Health

We host online seminars, focused discussion panels, community meetings, and interviews with psychology experts to foster a more informed and engaged society in matters of mental health.

Where do you operate?

Syria and the Arab region – working online.

What is your motto or philosophy in volunteer work? What are the main areas you focus on?

We believe that change starts with words, and our motto is: "Confront bullying... with love." We also believe that mental health is a fundamental pillar of individual and community well-being.
Our philosophy is based on providing reliable scientific content in an engaging and youth-friendly manner. We aim to foster a deep understanding of mental health, support emotional balance, and encourage a culture of dialogue and acceptance.
We use social media platforms as an effective tool to raise awareness and deliver our messages to targeted audiences, striving to build a society that is more aware, understanding, and supportive of mental health.

How can individuals join your group and participate in your activities?

By filling out a membership application, which is published when there is a need.

Do you offer training or orientation programs for new volunteers?

As needed.

What are the requirements or skills you look for in volunteers?

We seek to attract volunteers who have a genuine passion for social change, take initiative, and are committed to our mission of promoting mental health.
We welcome individuals with experience or interest in various fields, including digital media, content creation, design, training, and psychology.
Additionally, we look for people with strong communication skills, experience in managing digital communities, and audience engagement to ensure our message is delivered effectively and inclusively. More importantly, we value enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work within a diverse team striving to create a positive impact in society.

Do you collaborate with other organizations or entities? If yes, what is the nature of these partnerships?

Yes, we have partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies.

Do you receive any support from government entities or NGOs (local or international)? If yes, what kind of support?

Yes, we have multiple partnerships with NGOs and United Nations agencies.

What are the main challenges you face as a volunteer team?

1. Community awareness about mental health: There is still social resistance to some concepts related to mental health, making awareness efforts a continuous process that requires well-thought-out communication strategies that consider different cultural contexts.
2. Adapting to the changing digital Landscape: With the continuous development in means of communication and digital platforms, it becomes necessary to keep up with these changes to ensure that the content reaches the target groups in attractive and effective ways

How can the public support you? Are there specific ways to donate or contribute?
You can support us by publishing the content we provide, volunteering with us.

What are your vision and future plans to expand or develop your activities?

We strive to make the Bogeyman initiative a comprehensive digital platform for mental health, providing interactive content and reliable resources that are easy to access. We plan to expand our impact by launching educational programs within academic and community institutions and strengthening strategic partnerships locally and internationally. We are also working on leveraging modern technologies to create interactive digital experiences that raise awareness and enhance effective communication with our target audience.