DOHA: A special consultancy service to help people with mental health problems is set to be launched by the Association of Mental Health Friends.
The Association of Mental Health Friends (AMHFA) has announced the initiative yesterday at an event held to mark World Mental Health Day at the Katara.
Volunteer doctors will be available online with whom people can discuss their problems once the new initiative is launched. They can call or send messages to a hotline and a response will be within 48 hours.
Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Chairman of Board of Directors of AMHFA said, “Everyone should take the responsibility to support people with mental health problems. A person physically and mentally healthy person will benefit the society and the county as a whole.”
October 10 marked World Mental Health Day, a global initiative to promote greater awareness of mental health issues.
Meanwhile, activities will take place throughout the month of October under the theme, ‘A happy, healthy life means caring for your body and mind.’ Inspired by the Qatar National Vision 2030, which recognises that a healthy mind is as important as a healthy body, information will be shared about practical ways individuals and communities can influence their overall sense of wellbeing.
In a statement issued yesterday, H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani, the Minister of Health and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Health, said: “It is well known that good physical health is important for a full and happy life, but it’s often overlooked that our psychological wellbeing is just as necessary.
“Prevention is a key part of our strategy for mental health. We want to give people the tools to stay mentally fit as well as physically fit, so we can all enjoy vitality and success as individuals and families, and also collectively as a society. I encourage everyone to support World Mental Health Day by taking the time to learn how to care for their mind, as well as their body”, he added.
Strong communities and healthy lifestyles can help prevent mental health issues, however, mental illness can affect anyone, at any time.
The Supreme Council of Health encourages anyone who is experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, worry or stress that make it hard to cope with daily life, to seek help from a mental health trained professional as early as possible. Services are available through Primary Health Care Centres and Hamad Medical Corporation’s Psychiatry Department.
The Peninsula
