The event was part of series of national activities to raise awareness and break the social stigma associated with mental disorders.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in collaboration with partners hosted an event at to raise awareness about mental health and well-being. The event was part of a series of national activities to raise awareness and to change the negative perception and the social stigma associated with mental disorders in the society. Mental Health and wellbeing is one of the seven priorities outlined in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 therefore raising awareness is an important factor in reducing stigma, which is the goal of the NHS in addition to the awareness of the mental health services available.
Susan Clelland, Acting Director of the National Mental Health Office at MoPH – opened the event by welcoming attendees and outlined the importance of increasing awareness about mental health. A series of short presentations were given by partners highlighting the mental health services provided.
Dr Samya Ahmad Al-Abdulla Deputy National Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Executive Director of Operations at Primary Health Care discussed the first line screening that is being done. She also informed participants of the mental health services available in PHCC highlighting the availability of psychological therapies within their Support Clinics. Dr Samya said,“Our regional psychology support clinics deliver care closer to the community, playing a lead role in enhancing mental health care services, improving access, quality, and outcomes. The important of integrating mental health services not only improves access but aims to reduce stigma, which allows our frontline staff to deliver Prevention and early detection of Mental Disorders”
National Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing and HMC’s CEO of Mental Health Services Iain Tully conducted an interactive exercise with the audience which highlighted the need for mental health awareness and removing the stigma in seeking help.
Following the exercise, Professor Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair of Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine provided an overview of the mental services provided by Sidra Medicine. He emphasized the importance of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and perinatal mental health services to the people of Qatar. He went on to thank the MOPH and partners for promoting awareness about mental health.
The final presentation was provided by Mahmoud Al Afeef, Clinical Educator in Naufar. He highlighted the specialist services provided by Naufar and outlined the referral process. He stated, “the services are medically-led by multidisciplinary teams to address the neurobiological basis of addiction, the patients’ relationship with their family, their work, as well as common areas of concern in addiction including chronic pain, depression, anxiety and trauma.”
After the informative presentations’ attendees participated in activities associated with the Wheel of Wellbeing. This is a framework, founded on Positive Psychology, which promotes physical activities, healthy nutrition, and social connections with people, looking after the environment, gratitude and appreciation; in addition to meditation to help us relax. Information resources and tips for mental wellbeing were also shared with the participants.
