Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) held a roundtable discussion today, marking World Mental Health Day. The discussion focused on the critical issue of mental health in the context of conflicts and emergencies.

According to Qatar News Agency, QRCS Secretary-General Faisal Mohamed Al Emadi shared insights on QRCS’s extensive experience in mental health as part of its humanitarian and relief initiatives. He highlighted the organization’s skilled team of psychosocial specialists and announced that QRCS’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Emergency Response Unit is set to be officially registered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies this December. This unit is noted as the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the fourth globally.

The roundtable also underscored QRCS’s ongoing projects aimed at supporting disaster and war victims. One such initiative is the psychosocial support (PSS) program for Palestinian families residing in Doha. This program is supported by the Embassies of the United Kingdom and Canada, along with the Canadian Red Cross.

Basma Tabaja, head of the ICRC mission in Qatar, stressed the importance of addressing the psychological impacts of humanitarian crises and armed conflicts. She pointed out that mental health is a fundamental issue with far-reaching implications for individuals, communities, and overall social stability in the region and beyond.