Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is expanding its efforts to enhance mental health awareness and services across the country, marking World Mental Health Day with a series of activities throughout October. The initiatives aim to address mental health needs among various segments of the population through awareness campaigns, specialist programs, and collaborative partnerships.
Dr. Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of the ministry's Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes Department, highlighted the increasing priority given to mental health in Qatar’s healthcare strategy. He noted that recent months have seen the development and unification of standard operating procedures, templates, and key protocols for mental health services. Additionally, patient rights and responsibilities have been updated to better protect dignity and improve service quality.
Dr. Mohamed emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the MoPH, healthcare providers, academic institutions, research bodies, and the community at large. This cooperative approach supports workforce development, fosters research and innovation, and ensures that programs reflect the lived experiences of those affected by mental health challenges.
One of the key events this month was the “Silatha Journey for Women,” part of the MoPH Mental Health Campaign 2026. The event focused on women’s mental health and wellbeing, featuring panel discussions on workplace mental health, an educational workshop, and the introduction of the “Silatha” application, which offers specialized support services.
Another component of the month-long program included a webinar under the Mental Health Continuing Medical Education Programme, which gathered mental health specialists to discuss risk assessment and management in patients with mental health and behavioral disorders. Topics covered included identifying risk factors, appropriate management strategies, and the communication of risks within healthcare teams to ensure coordinated care.
Beyond October, the ministry continues to implement several ongoing initiatives aimed at different population groups. These include the Mental Health Promotion Programme for Student Wellbeing 2026, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Additional programs offer mental health awareness workshops across government bodies and institutions, and training-of-trainers sessions in youth centers and sports clubs to support young people’s mental wellness.
The MoPH also collaborates with the Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) to advance mental health and quality of life among senior citizens. Together, these efforts seek to create a comprehensive mental health support system that responds to Qatar’s evolving needs.