WATCH:SC prioritizes mental health wellbeing as Qatar gears up to host FIFA World Cup 2022

To mark this year’s World Mental Health Day (WMHD), the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has reaffirmed its commitment to mental health wellbeing among its workforce.

Promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), WMHD is held on October 10 each year and aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and amplify efforts and programmes which support mental health wellbeing.

For the SC, it’s an opportunity to illustrate its many longstanding mental health wellbeing initiatives and reaffirm the importance of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 during a time when the mental health of many is being tested by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, continues to be a strong advocate of mental health awareness and wellbeing.

He said, “We have always placed an emphasis on supporting the mental health of our staff and workforce and have amplified these efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.  For many people, this period is particularly tough and brings unique challenges and stresses.  We wanted to make sure they knew when and how to seek professional help if they needed it.”

In response to increasing mental health stresses during the pandemic, the SC has built on its longstanding mental health initiatives to support its construction workers, collaborating closely with specialists at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Mental Health Service at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to develop a COVID-19-specific mental health awareness campaign.

This effort revolved around the proactive distribution of information via different mediums, to educate staff and workers on the importance of maintaining mental health, tackling key issues including depression, anxiety, general wellbeing and the importance of staying active.

The contents of the campaign were translated into the eight main languages of the SC workforce and distributed to more than 18,000 workers via a dedicated mobile app, SMS, WhatsApp, embassies representing large worker communities, and the wider worker community in Qatar.

Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, SC’s Workers’ Welfare Department forged a partnership with MOPH and HMC to develop a mental health pathway for SC workers.

Mahmoud Qutub, the Executive Director of the Workers’ Welfare Department spoke about the different ways that mental health has been central to their health and wellbeing efforts.

“As part of our commitment to ensuring workers’ health and safety, in December 2019 we identified the need for a dedicated and secure channel to provide our workers with the mental health support they may need. We developed a comprehensive mental health pathway along with our partners, including targeted screenings and dedicated clinics providing free consultation and treatment for workers. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative for workers in Qatar, highlighting our continuous efforts in ensuring the welfare of our workers,”  he added.

“When the FIFA World Cup comes to Qatar, it will be an opportunity to rejoice in how the beautiful game can unite people from around the world.  We are optimistic that by November 2022, we’ll be able to host a safe and secure event and welcome fans from every part of the world,” added Al Thawadi.

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Source: SC