Hissa

Riyadh: Jusoor — Culture & Arts

The World Mental Health Day event in Qatif, launched at Al-Nasirah Park and continuing for four days, emphasized the importance of early detection of behavioral issues in children, alongside highlighting the free services offered to people with disabilities.

The event, titled “Towards a Work Environment that Enhances Mental Health,” was organized in cooperation with the Qatif Health Network and the Municipality of Qatif Governorate, and will run until October 28.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Khater, Deputy Executive Director of Medical and Clinical Services at the Qatif Health Network, said that various departments participated in the event — from the Central Qatif Hospital to Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Hospital and health centers — along with many private entities providing mental health services to the community.

Psychiatry consultant Dr. Mohammed Hayyan highlighted the importance of mental health in daily life across social, family, academic, and professional levels.

Psychologist Ruqayya Al-Abd Ali explained that the booth belonging to Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Hospital focuses on early detection of behavioral problems in children, which, if unaddressed, may develop into disorders.

She added, “There are behavioral problems such as fear, anxiety, and stress in children, and if these are not addressed early, they may grow into disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and other persistent disorders requiring ongoing treatment.”

Zainab Al-Muzain, Director of Patient Experience at the Qatif Health Network, said: “Today, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to mental health care just as we care for physical health.” She noted that patients are informed of their rights during their treatment journey.

She continued, “We have a community partnership with the Eastern Province’s Good Conduct Association, and we emphasize providing all services with courtesy and respect to all beneficiaries of the Qatif Health Network’s services. We also have a QR code and encourage everyone to share their experience with Qatif Health Network services via this code.”

Social worker Ibtisam Al-Dawood from the Qatif Social Services Unit pointed out that this unit is part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, providing a range of services to people with disabilities registered as beneficiaries under the ministry, according to set rules and conditions.

She added that services include social grants, certain medical devices, hearing aids, scholarships, visa fee waivers, digital facilitation cards, fare reductions, autism cards, and waivers from fees for study in day-care and community centers according to the required conditions.

Family counselor Shafiq Al-Seif from the Future Flowers Center, affiliated with the Tarout Charity Association, revealed that the center offers beneficiaries programs including health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavior modification, academic programs (reading, writing, skill development), occupational and recreational programs, community service, family counseling in various fields, and self-development — all provided free of charge for community service.