Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health, has organized the Mental Health Forum to Promote Student Well-being 2025, as part of the celebration of World Mental Health Day.
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum, supervised by the Student Protection and Care Section of the Schools and Student Affairs Department, aimed to highlight the importance of raising awareness of mental health in the school environment and instilling a culture of mental well-being among students and the educational community.
The forum was widely attended by leaders and officials from both ministries and representatives of local community institutions, with approximately 450 specialists, including psychologists from government schools, healthcare professionals, and representatives of national institutions, participating. Attendance at the forum was used to calculate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The forum focused on reviewing successful local experiences in the field of mental health and enhancing cooperation between educational and healthcare institutions in the country, in line with the Ministry’s efforts to achieve excellence in psychological and educational support services.
In her opening remarks, Director of the Schools and Student Affairs Department Maryam Al Nesef Al Buainain emphasized that mental health services are an absolute necessity, not a luxury, especially in times of crisis. She pointed to World Health Organization (WHO) reports indicating that one-third of those affected by disasters suffer from mental disorders, and that 22 percent of war victims suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
She called for serious consideration of these indicators, emphasizing that the forum aims to consolidate the conviction that mental health is a fundamental right and a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
The forum’s activities included presentations of the achievements of the Student Protection and Care Department in the psychological field and the experience of the Quality of Life Unit at the Ministry of Public Health. In addition, the event honored partners from participating institutions, including a number of psychologists, trainers, schools, and supporting institutions.
The forum also featured a panel discussion on outstanding practices in mental health care, featuring representatives from the Student Protection and Care Department, the Quality of Life Unit at the Ministry of Public Health, Sidra Medicine, Behavioral Health Support Centers, and Naufar. The session reviewed the most prominent experiences and programs implemented in this field.
The forum concluded with a workshop titled “Psychological Resilience as an Effective Tool for Promoting Mental Health in Various Workplaces.” The workshop, presented by the Ministry of Public Health, aimed to enhance specialists’ acquisition of professional credit.
The forum affirms the Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030 in terms of human development, by focusing on the psychological well-being of students as a foundation for building a generation capable of contributing to the country’s progress. The cooperation between the two ministries also embodies an integrated national approach that strengthens Qatar’s position as a leading center for supporting school mental health.