Dr. Rabia Toor's Story:

 

Rabia Toor is a recent graduate of Saba University School of Medicine, beginning her residency in Internal Medicine. Growing up in a fairly conservative Muslim community, mental health was not talked about as it was a very stigmatized topic. So when we began medical school and began to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, she felt completely lost. Having no one to reach out to, including her family or friends who deemed it a spiritual failing, her symptoms began to get worse. It was at a very dark moment in her life that she had one moment of bravery and went to a psychiatrist and received treatment. After noticing an instant change, a fog being lifted in every aspect of her life, she decided to chronicle her story on facebook. And through that, she received an immense amount of support and heard stories of other friends and family members who were suffering in silence. It was then that she decided to work on documentary called 'Veil of Silence', which highlighted the stigma of mental illness in the Muslim Community. She was incredibly fortunate to be able to present this film The 9th Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference and the Canadian Muslim Mental Health Conference, as well as at various universities and schools.She's passionate about spreading the word about mental wellness and mental illness in the desi community because the cultural taboos which run rampant in South Asia,  truly prevent individuals from receiving the treatment they deserve. Currently, she has merged her love of baking and her love for mental health advocacy though her company called 'Ruby's Cookie Shop', where 100 percent of profits go to mental health organizations.