The Faculty of Nursing at the Islamic University organized a scientific meeting on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, under the slogan “Making mental health and well-being for all a global priority.” The scientific meeting was attended by Prof. Ashraf El-Jadi, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing; Dr. Abdel Karim Radwan, Vice Dean; Dr. Arifa Al-Bahri, Head of the General Nursing Department; Dr. Adel Odeh, Director of the Mental Health Services Department at the Ministry of Health; Dr. Osama Emad, Head of the Training and Programs Department at the Ministry of Health; members of the nursing faculty; and a group of nursing female students.
Prof. El-Jadi stressed the importance of individuals’ mental health from a positive prospective represented in the quality of psychological and social life, and that mental health is no less important than physical health, as there is no separation between them. He noted that most physical diseases originate from and are based on mental health.
Prof. El-Jadi pointed out that mental health comes through adherence to the teachings of Islam, and that it represents a state of contentment and tranquility, stressing the spiritual aspect and its main role in individuals’ mental health.
Furthermore, he referred to the efforts of the Faculty of Nursing in supporting mental health areas and highlighting their importance within society through the opening of the Master’s program in Mental Health.
Dr. Odeh revealed the establishment of the National Center for Community Therapy and Rehabilitation “Aman Palestine Hospital”, explaining that work is underway to operate it and that it will provide mental health care for all classes of the Palestinian people.
He demonstrated the efforts of the General Department of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health to achieve the concept of “mental health for all” and spoke about cooperation with all health, academic, and scientific institutions that provide support and mental health for our people as a national priority. He also spoke about striving to keep pace with modern scientific developments in the field of psychiatry through rehabilitation and training of human resources working in the field of psychiatry.
Dr. Emad illustrated mental health through a presentation on a group of causes that lead to mental health disorders that affect individuals, indicating that the person himself is the first and only responsible for what happens to him and thus for changing his life and achieving psychological peace, as well as liberation from the captivity of the self, so that one can be liberated from the captivity of others.
In commemoration of World Mental Health Day, the Midwifery Department at the Faculty of Nursing organized a march for female students on the university campus, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day, within the course “Mental Health of the Midwife”, in which Ms. Wafaa Obeid , Head of the Midwifery Department, and Dr. Ahmed Al Shaer, Head of the practical training Department, participated, along with many female students in the Faculty of Nursing.
The march included raising awareness slogans to take care of the mental health of female university students, as it has an effect no less important than physical health.
