Significant boost for mental
health care services.
The execution of the National Mental Health Strategy between 2013 to 2018 has brought about a significant boost to the country’s mental health services which are targeted at building an integrated and extensive mental health system as stated by a senior officer.
This strategy has resulted in a 50% increase in the mental health solutions provided at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Iain Tulley, a Chief Executive, Mental Health Services at HMC stated that the community services and the awareness about the benefits of mental health have increased.
The National Mental Health Strategy themed ‘Changing Minds, Changing Lives’ was introduced in December 2013 with the goal of changing the overall concept about mental diseases and at the same time providing the finest mental health services possible. There had been tremendous development in the National Mental Health Strategy since it was introduced and I believe that four to five more years to come will experience more wonderful achievements Tulley informed the Peninsula on Saturday at the sixth Qatar International Mental Health Conference.
“We witnessed quite a significant boost last year in the services and even a 50% increase in our services at HMC. We have decided to hire more therapists, psychologists, and doctors so we can offer people different treatments. We also have a team of mental health personnel in the community where doctors and nurses specialize in. There are also outpatient clinics available that will reduce the number of people coming to the hospital. The strategy also enables the new services for kids and young adults” he stated.
The sixth Qatar International Mental Health Conference was held at the Hilton, Doha between November 30 and December 2.
This conference brought international and local professionals in mental health together where there were discussions on modern and best techniques on the services in Qatar can be improved.
“We have lots of professionals who specialize in various areas that are capable of handling the mental health issues in people. We also focus on stigma and how to make mental health services easily accessible to people. The conference also looked into the causes of mental health problems in people that are as a result of severe illness such as diabetes and cancer” Tulley said. He also stated, “The conference, then concluded on the health problems people face, their psychological wellbeing, medications and how stigma associated with mental illness can be reduced”.
There were several new features introduced into this year’s conference such as pre-conference workshops, product exhibitions by in the-patients and tasks that can help increase mental health awareness.
“We continually expand and improve the quality of the conference. We receive feedback from those in attendance which are examined and carried out the following year. Four pre-conference workshops were carried out this year along with an exhibition of handicrafts made by in-the patients and poster presentations. Patients were taught on how to do artworks based on their feeling by a local Qatar artist. Two movies that created awareness about mental health were shown. One was about our services while the other was about understanding and plans on mental health issues which were done by young university students” stated the Conference chair, Dr. SuhailaGhuloum, who is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Mental Health Services at HMC.
Dr. Ghuloum also stated that mental issues are very common all over the world and most people at some point experience mental illness. Mental illness such as anxiety and depression are very common and can vary from serious to minor cases.
“The occurrence of mental issue in Qatar can also be related to other countries. The policymakers need to address this issue of public health to an extent. There are steps taken everywhere in the world and most importantly in Qatar, with several continuous efforts looking for its expansion. The aim of the conference was to be able to boost our effort in creating awareness about mental wellbeing and promote mental wellness.
Included in the pre-conference workshop are medical values for mental health workers. ADHD, learning disabilities, mental disability, and best diagnosis and assessment practices.” Ameera Alkharaz, psychiatrist, HMC said. The pre-conference had so many benefits such as to train and educate physicians.
It will enable us as physicians to be able to offer the best possible care available and an opportunity to reach out and learn new things from international professionals.”
Several topics were discussed in the conference an international war against stigmatization, anxiety and cancer, relationship violence and specific cases on a project on screening maternal depression in Al Wakra hospital.
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