Mohanna: Empowering People Begins with Protecting Their Bodies, Minds, Psychological Well-being and Dignity

Amel Association International, through its Mental Health Programme and in cooperation with the National Mental Health Programme at the Ministry of Public Health, organised an awareness-raising and interactive day at the Douris Mother and Child Centre to mark World Mental Health Day. The event also benefited from the support and equipment of Amel’s “Ideas Box” programme, implemented in partnership with Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). The programme included talks, support sessions and interactive activities aimed at raising awareness of mental health and the importance of integrated care amid the successive crises affecting Lebanon.

Participants included Dr Mahmoud Yaghi, Head of the Health Department in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, representing Minister of Public Health Dr Rakan Nassereddine; Dr Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International; Dr Josette Najjar, representative of Fondation Mérieux in Lebanon; Hussein Raad, President of the Union of Baalbek Municipalities; and Maroun Njeim, Mayor of Douris, alongside municipal council members, local and community figures, Amel staff and residents.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Yaghi affirmed that mental health is an essential component of the right to health and a dignified life. He stressed the need to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare and make them accessible to everyone, without discrimination or stigma. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Ministry, through its National Mental Health Programme, Amel Association International and municipalities, reaffirming the Ministry’s continued support for initiatives that promote people’s mental and physical health.

Mohanna said: “Never in our modern history have we needed to talk about mental health as much as we do today, in a world burdened by wars, disasters and injustice, and in a country where people have experienced anxiety and crises more often than stability.”

He stressed that Lebanese people’s resilience should not mean expecting them to bear their pain alone. “People should not be expected to be strong all the time. Seeking psychological support is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of self-awareness and the right to health and dignity,” he said.

“Amel is more than an organisation providing services; at its heart, it is a movement dedicated to empowering people,” Mohanna added. This reflects its belief that people are both the purpose and the driving force of all humanitarian action, and that meaningful development requires protecting their physical and mental health, strengthening their awareness of their rights and supporting their ability to determine their own future. He emphasised that recovery from war requires more than rebuilding physical structures: it also demands addressing psychological and social wounds. He praised the cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health and Amel’s partners.

Najjar noted that World Mental Health Day falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to reiterate that “there is no health without mental health.” She called for integrated care that addresses patients’ physical, psychological and social needs.

She also highlighted the MELiban project for maternal and child health and mental health, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, Fondation Mérieux and Monaco’s international cooperation programme. She noted that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of this partnership.

Njeim affirmed that the mental health of Douris residents is a key priority and described the centre as a safe space for anyone struggling with stress and crises. He reiterated the municipality’s commitment to continued cooperation with Amel and its partners to support residents’ health and strengthen the stability of families and the wider community.

Hanan Siblani, the Mental Health Coordinator in the Bekaa, stressed the importance of making mental health services available within primary healthcare centres, highlighting the network of centres in Douris, Al Ain, Arsal, Kamed El Loz, Machghara and Terbol.

She explained that the Douris centre provides specialised mental health services and treatment for substance use disorders and addiction. Since the beginning of the year, she noted, it has provided 1,020 intake and assessment services for new cases, 4,287 follow-up services and approximately 4,640 psychotherapy sessions.

The event also included awareness and interactive sessions led by Amel’s Mental Health Programme team, focusing on managing anxiety and stress, strengthening coping strategies and mutual support, and encouraging people to seek specialised assistance.