In collaboration with its health care partners, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) launched the 'Are You OK?' mental health and well-being awareness campaign as part of the World Mental Health Day 2021 activities in Qatar.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medicine, Naufar, and Qatar Red Crescent have collaborated with MoPH to initiate the campaign which aims to encourage citizens and residents to talk more openly about their emotional wellbeing.

Asking a relative, friend, or coworker, "Are you OK?" in the appropriate way might assist to start a dialogue with someone you care about who may be struggling to speak freely about their issues.

Over 25 organizations across Qatar recently promoted the “Are You OK” Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaign, which was first launched last year. This video, recorded for the campaign launch, features local healthcare sector experts explaining the aims of the awareness campaign. pic.twitter.com/F75eZYuQJW

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) October 23, 2021

Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Section at the MoPH Dr. Kholoud Al-Mutawa said, “The Ministry has paid great attention in promoting mental health for all segments of society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the impact it had on the mental health of the population.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with its health partners has started many interventions to reduce the pandemic negative impact,” she added.

According to Al-Mutawa, the campaign's main goal is to get as many people in the community to fight the stigma and talk about their mental health, as this is the first step toward better understanding how to deal with daily pressures, avoid anxiety and stress, interact with others, and make smart decisions.

Chair of the National Taskforce for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Chief of the Continuing Care Group at HMC Mahmoud Al Raisi pointed out that the previous year’s campaign was a huge success, and attitudes regarding mental health are shifting in a positive direction.

Chair of the Mental Health Service at HMC Dr. Majid Al Abdulla noted that the confidential helpline has handled over 35,000 calls and the launch of mental health virtual consultations across the healthcare system has also enabled greater access to care, resulting in a greater number of people being able to benefit from psychological support.

Users have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the virtual women’s mental health service to focus specifically on the mental health needs of females who present for the first time, which has become an important feature of its virtual mental health services, according to Dr. Majid Al Abdulla.

The healthcare sector has dramatically expanded services and improved access to mental health services in recent years, allowing it to fulfill the rising demand for mental health support while also bringing services closer to people's homes.

For more information about the ‘Are You OK?’ campaign and to view the list of collaborating organizations, kindly visit sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa

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Cover Image Credit & Source: The Peninsula