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Tribune News Network
Doha
MENTAL health and well-being is one of the priority areas in the Qatar Public Health Strategy 2017-2022, with the main focus on encouraging people to speak openly about mental health and to seek help as early as possible.
The mental health objectives of the Public Health Strategy have been designed to complement and build on the National Mental Health Strategy, which was launched in 2013 with the vision: Good mental health and well-being for the people of Qatar, supported by integrated mental health services with access to the right care at the right time in the right place.
Mental health describes our mental state how we are feeling, what we are thinking, how we get on with others and how well we can cope with the stresses of everyday life. There are some risk factors that may make someone more vulnerable to experiencing a period of poor mental health, including physical illness, stress, unhealthy lifestyles and challenging life events. But sometimes there is no clear reason why we may find it difficult to cope at a particular time.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) global estimates suggest that mental health disorders affect more than 1 in 4 people in the course of their lives and about 1 in 10 adults at any one time. The most common disorders are depression and anxiety. In Qatar the estimated prevalence (2015) of depression is approximately 5.1 percent and for anxiety 4.2 percent of the population, according to WHO.
"Due to the low levels of awareness in the society, mental illness is very often misunderstood and is frequently surrounded by negative attitudes. This creates stigma and can cause individuals and their families to suffer in silence, preventing them from seeking the necessary help. Family relationships and community life can also be greatly affected by it. We, therefore, need to encourage a positive, open dialogue about mental health issues in Qatar and drive forward major change in people's attitudes. Mental illness should be seen just like any other physical condition that requires treatment and support," said Susan Clelland, Acting Executive Director of the National Mental Health Program.
Trained professionals, services and support for mental health are available in Qatar, and seeking support early ensures greater chance of recovery. The first step is to access the mental health services offered by trained family physicians in Primary Health Care Centres across Qatar.
To make an appointment at the designated Primary Health center, people can call Hayyak 107, which is available 24x7.
A consultation survey for receiving the public's view on priorities for the Public Health Strategy 2017-2022 has been launched. It can be found at 'http://phs.moph.gov.qa'.
