Qatar University (QU)'s Student Counseling Center celebrated the World Mental Health Day under the theme, “It's Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace." The event saw participation from several university officials as well as various mental health institutions working in the state of Qatar.
The celebration aimed to raise awareness about mental health issues and highlight the importance of maintaining mental health within the workplace environment. It also sought to mobilize efforts to address the growing challenges in the mental health sector.
A key feature of the event was a panel discussion focused on achieving mental health in the university environment. The panel included prominent mental health experts such as Dr. Nawaf Alzyoud, Coordinator of Graduate Studies Programs, and Associate Professor of Special Education in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the College of Education at QU, Dr. Abdullah Al-Johi, Director of Recovery and Engagement at Naufar Center, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Etter, a psychiatrist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Ms. Sawsen Lahmar, a student counselor at QU's Student Counseling Center, moderated the session.
During the discussion, the speakers shed light on several important topics, such as the need for a healthy work environment for employees, strategies to overcome challenges, and the significance of enhancing mental well-being. They emphasized that improving mental well-being is essential for students, as it is one of the primary factors influencing their academic and social behavior. The speakers also highlighted the role of QU in fostering a healthy environment for all its members. The Student Counseling Center has played a key role in offering psychological support services to help students cope with mental, behavioral, social, and emotional challenges that could affect their performance.
In a statement, Dr. Mohammed Magzoob, Director of the Student Counseling Center at QU, said, “Today we celebrate World Mental Health Day, and this year's celebration comes from recognizing the critical importance of mental health for both the individual and society. We are pleased to have the participation of many internal and external entities involved in the field of mental health."
Dr. Magzoob also mentioned that the event aimed to provide comprehensive services to the university community, enabling them to benefit from a full range of mental health services.
Alongside the celebration, an accompanying exhibition was held with participation from major centers offering mental health services, as well as social and student guidance institutions. Exhibitors included Sidra Medicine, Inclusion and Special Needs Support Center, HMC, the Student Counseling Center, QU Sports Affairs, QU Health Sector, the Ministry of Social Development (MSDF), Wifaq Family Consulting Center, Protection and Social Rehabilitation Center (AMAN), Al-Noor Center For The Blind, Behavioral Health Care Center (Daam), The Shafallah Center, and the Community Policing Department, among others.
This event not only underscored QU's commitment to mental health but also demonstrated a collaborative effort among various national institutions to enhance mental well-being across all sectors of society.