Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) organised a Mental Health Forum in collaboration with the Mental Health Friends Association "Weyak". This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to raise public awareness of mental health issues, promote health consciousness among community members, and educate the public on the risks associated with psychological stress and its relationship with other diseases. The forum also aimed to foster a workplace culture that supports positive communication and acceptance of psychological challenges.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum was designed to enhance professional awareness regarding the importance of mental health as a crucial factor in improving staff efficiency and workplace productivity. It also focused on developing work-life balance skills, enabling employees to recognise and manage common work-related pressures effectively, thereby reducing psychological and occupational burnout.
Masouma Fadel Sada, the Assistant Director of the Healthcare Professions Department at the MoPH, emphasised that organising the Mental Health Forum aligns with the Ministry's efforts, in cooperation with its partners, to prioritise mental health in the health sector. This initiative underscores the belief that healthcare is not complete without balanced and continuous psychological support from competent healthcare practitioners.
She further explained that the Healthcare Professions Department is responsible for granting the necessary licences to practitioners, ensuring their professional competence. Sada stressed that healthcare practitioners in the mental health field are essential in building a leading model of psychological support within the health sector, aiming towards a healthier society.
The forum covered several key topics, including managing workplace stress, addressing occupational burnout through managing psychological crises resulting from the work environment, medication management in diabetes care, and overcoming social and psychological burdens. It also explored narrative therapy as a psychotherapeutic approach to psychological trauma. The event was attended by representatives from various organisations, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Qatar University, the Qatar Diabetes Association, and the Family Counselling Centre "Wifaq".