2024-10-10
Under the patronage of Dr. Batool Al-Muheisen, Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, the awareness campaign titled “The Impact of Mental Health on Women in Work Environments” was inaugurated. The campaign was organized by the Center in cooperation with the International Medical Corps and the Faculty of Educational Sciences.
Participants in the campaign included Dr. Manar Bani Mustafa from the Faculty of Educational Sciences, as well as Majed Masaadeh, Hindya Al-Muqabla, Hiba Al-Jarrah, Murad Abu Jameel, Areen Nawaserah, and Nawaf and Muath Khattabeh, representatives of the International Medical Corps.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Al-Muheisen emphasized that empowering Jordanian women in all fields is the core mission of the Center, aligning with Yarmouk University’s broader mission and the Royal directives that call for supporting women to advance their communities and nation.
She highlighted the campaign’s focus on the significance of mental health for women in the workplace. She also noted that World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for health organizations and governments to enhance mental health policies, provide support for individuals facing mental health challenges, and improve the quality of mental health care services.
Dr. Al-Muheisen added that this global occasion encourages individuals to seek help when needed and raises awareness that mental health is an integral part of overall health, essential for achieving a balanced and healthy life.
Dr. Bani Mustafa addressed the importance of mental health, noting that two crucial life choices are work and marriage. She emphasized the relationship between work and mental health, as work occupies a significant portion of one’s life.
Majed Masaadeh mentioned that October 10 was designated as World Mental Health Day to highlight women’s roles as mothers, educators, and workers, as well as the psychological pressures and challenges they face at home and work.
Murad Abu Jameel explained the mechanisms of the International Medical Corps, which aim to improve the quality and accessibility of primary healthcare in Jordan by supporting local clinics and organizations. The organization also works to enhance mental health and social well-being by ensuring coordinated evidence-based programs and better access to community mental health services for women and children.
Hiba Al-Jarrah discussed the establishment of the Medical Corps branch in 2008, focusing on improving quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacities across Jordan. She also elaborated on stress and coping mechanisms, comparing them to antibiotics in how they address challenges.
The topic of psychological first aid was introduced by Al-Rifa’i, who explained its role in building trust between the therapist and the patient, which is fundamental to the healing process from start to finish.
Areen Nawaserah addressed the psychological impact on women with mentally ill children, such as those with autism, and how this affects their work environment.
Hindya Al-Muqabla discussed the stigma surrounding mental health, describing it as a set of negative beliefs and social perceptions about individuals with mental health conditions, often leading to discrimination and marginalization.
Lastly, Muath Khattabeh highlighted the Relax application, a comprehensive mental health tool available on mobile devices through the Play Store. It allows users to connect with specialists anonymously to benefit from their expertise.
