Mahmoud al-Raisi, chief of Continuing Care, said HMC is committed to playing a key role in providing a platform for dialogue among stakeholders, particularly around the future development of integrated mental health
services in Qatar.
“From a public health perspective, we recognise the importance of encouraging open dialogue on a wide range of mental health matters to help raise public awareness and thereby reduce associated stigma by encouraging early access to diagnosis and treatment, we will be in a stronger position to manage the risk factors and help our population remain healthier for longer,” al-Raisi said in a statement.
Dr Suhaila Ghuloum, senior consultant psychiatrist at HMC’s Mental Health Service and Conference, outlined how the conference represents an important learning and networking opportunity for healthcare providers from different sectors and disciplines.
“Each year we have greater numbers attending our conference, which is a testimony to both the appeal of the topics presented, our expert presenters, and the fact that demand for mental health services is continually rising,” said Dr Ghuloum, adding, “Mental health awareness, the value of well-being, and access to professional and affordable mental healthcare continue to be major areas of concern around the world.”
Iain Tulley, National Health Strategy lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing for Qatar and CEO of HMC Mental Health Service, said, “The Qatar National Mental Health Strategy 2013-2018 articulated the vision for an integrated mental health system, which is underpinned by the Mental Health Law, which is currently being implemented. An integrated mental health system which is evidence-based and culturally aligned requires high quality, well-educated professionals who can bring and adapt expertise to the communities we serve in Qatar. Our conference is designed to provide learning across our Mental Health Service and to improve awareness and knowledge among health professionals working across our system.
Tulley noted that Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2018-2022 includes seven priority populations and five system-wide priorities that reflect both the needs of specific population groups in Qatar as well as health system requirements in order to deliver improved health outcomes to these groups.
Tulley added that people affected by mental health conditions are one of the highlighted population groups.
The program for this year’s conference featured the most extensive agenda to date and included a pre-conference day with intensive workshop sessions and two days of keynote presentations, oral and poster presentations.
The first keynote presentation was delivered during the opening ceremony by the acclaimed Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre in Australia. Professor Kulkarni elaborated on the importance of making women’s mental health a global priority.
Conference participants represented a variety of organisations from across the health sector, both in Qatar and from around the region.
Their attendance demonstrated the collective commitment of major private and public healthcare institutions to promote shared learning and expertise that support an integrated mental health service in Qatar. (QNA)
