The Ministry of Health has just launched a website called sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa which is Qatar’s very first national mental health website. This website ‘Your Mind Matters’ has been initiated to help curb the huge threat posed by mental health disorders towards the quality of life of those that live in Qatar and is part of the National Mental Health Strategy (NMHS) 2013 – 2018 whose objectives are ‘good mental health and wellbeing for the people of Qatar supported by integrated mental health services with access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place” .
sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa is a culmination of the above mentioned NMHS objectives. Launched on 12 November 2018, sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa - “Your Mind Matters” in Arabic "صحتك النفسية" provides people in Qatar – locals and expats - information about mental wellbeing, mental health conditions and how to access mental health services in Qatar. sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa is administrated by the Ministry of Public Health, under the coordination of the National Mental Health Programme and has been specifically tailored to cater to the specific needs of the people in Qatar as informed by research that has been undertaken locally. According to ‘The Mental Health Attitudes and Awareness Baseline Measure’ of 2015, majority of respondents (81%) would seek mental health and well-being information online as a first step. That is why it was deemed necessary to have an online resource that caters to people in Qatar who may want to access mental health and well being issues online before making a decision to seek help.
Key health partners of this initiative who have been instrumental in developing this important resource for mental health include:
This online resource to support good mental health and wellbeing for the people of Qatar offers bilingual (Arabic and English) mental health information that aims to fill a gap in the availability of mental health resources in Qatar for the general public. It is current with up-to-date and medically accurate information and resources on mental health that are based on the best available evidence.
It is a one-stop-shop for all kinds of information related to mental health - from mental well-being to understanding mental health conditions; from risk factors and symptoms of mental illness to its treatment and recovery; from where to get help to raising awareness and from information and resources on mental health to different tools for managing mental health issues – and has the answer to everything you need to know about mental health in Qatar.
Raising awareness on mental health is important for the whole community in Qatar, but it is particularly important for those that are most likely to be in contact with people facing mental health issues. sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa wants to build a community where people can identify the signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses early and support people to access the right care, at the right time and in the right place. It aims to achieve this by doing the following:
1. Educate the people of Qatar about mental health
The level of mental health education in Qatar is relatively low and many misconceptions exist around the causes of mental health issues and the capabilities of people with a mental illness. It is not sufficient for healthcare organisations and clinicians to simply tell people to make healthy choices – individuals must be empowered through knowledge to do what is best for their health. In this way, they can improve their attitude towards mental health, recognize signs of mental illness in themselves or someone around them, and aim to seek help without feeling stigmatised.
2. Raise awareness about mental health and mental health related issues
By providing people in Qatar with positive messages about mental illness and raising people’s awareness through mental health education and information is critical towards supporting a better understanding of mental illness. Raising public awareness about mental health will help to dismiss misconceptions related to it and, in turn, will encourage positive attitudes about mental health amongst people in general.
3. Reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
Since people may not be very aware of mental illness, it is most often misunderstood and is frequently surrounded by negative attitudes. This causes stigmas to get associated with mental health issues and causes individuals and their families to suffer in silence because they fear being stigmatised, and may also prevent them from seeking the necessary help they may need. The impact on family relationships and community life can also be greatly affected.
By reducing the stigma that is attached with mental illness, we will be able to nurture a responsive community – a community that understands mental health and is able to, subsequently, create a society where people can actively seek help and support without the fear that they will be stigmatised or discriminated against based on their mental wellbeing.
4. Make mental health information and resources widely available for the public
By making mental health information available at the click of a button, there are more chances of filling the gaps in mental health related issues for the general public. Having easy access to such online resources makes it easier to self-manage and also to help others who may need help in dealing with mental health issues since all the information is readily available anytime and anywhere.
5. Encourage people to speak openly about mental health disorders and for them to seek help early.
By encouraging a positive and open dialogue about mental health issues in Qatar, a major shift in people’s attitudes towards mental illness can be made possible, and they will be able to see mental illness just like any other physical medical condition that requires treatment and support.
It is important to keep in mind that the information on this website is designed as a guide only and is not a substitute for seeking medical advice and mental health treatment.
Have you tried the website? Did you find it informative? Would you recommend it to friends and family? Do let us know what you think in our Comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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