Officials at a function held to mark the World Mental Health Day.
Doha: The Psychiatry Department of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) participated in a one day cultural exhibition held by Qatar Foundation (QF), in observance of the World Mental Health Day.
The event was held under the theme “Depression - a Global Crisis”.
The Psychiatry Department’s booth distributed informative materials in Arabic and English to educate people on ways to maintain a healthy mental life and how to help those suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Dr Abdul Muniem Abdul Hakem, Senior Psychiatrist, Dr Hany Shaltout, Specialist Psychiatrist, Dr Ramzy Raihani, Resident Physician, and Tamer Hosny, Psychologist, were present at the booth.
Live mental relaxation exercises were also demonstrated at the booth. The exercises are normally practiced in the clinic for patients suffering from anxiety, social phobia, sleeping disorders or severe anxiety episodes.
According to Dr Abdul Hakam, 10 to 15 percent or about 450 million of the world’s population suffer from depression. “This mental disorder afflicts various age groups — children, adults and even elderly people. It is more commonly diagnosed in women, including gestational depression, postpartum depression and the depression associated with chronic physical diseases,” he said.
“About 30 to 60 percent of depression patients respond to treatment and enjoy full recovery, while other patients still need more intensive care. It is important to know the various consequences of depression. If not well-treated, about 10 percent of severe depression patients commit suicide. Depression is also a risk factor for other chronic physical diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and some malignant diseases,” Dr Abdul Hakam added.
The World Federation for Mental Health is an international organisation founded in 1948 to advance the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health. The organisation began marking World Mental Health Day in 1992. Currently more than 100 states around the globe celebrate this event annually.
The Peninsula
