Minister of Social Affairs: Commemorating World Mental Health Day is a Crucial Opportunity to Enhance Public Awareness of Its Importance
Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood, stated that the observance of World Mental Health Day, which falls on Saturday, represents an important opportunity to enhance public awareness of the significance of mental health as a fundamental component of public health and quality of life.
In a press statement, Minister Al-Huwail emphasized the necessity of providing a supportive environment that ensures individuals’ psychological well-being and enables their active participation in society.
She noted that mental health is no longer merely a health issue, but has become a key pillar for achieving social development, strengthening family stability, and fostering social cohesion. She explained that attention to mental health positively impacts individuals, families, and various societal institutions.
She added that the Ministry places great emphasis on supporting programs and initiatives that contribute to enhancing mental health and preventing psychological problems, alongside promoting a culture of accepting help-seeking behavior, raising awareness about the importance of psychosocial support, and working to reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders.
The Minister called on all government entities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to intensify their joint efforts to spread awareness and strengthen support services for mental health, ensuring access for all segments of society and reinforcing values of solidarity and social cohesion.
Minister Al-Huwail commended the role played by specialists and workers in the fields of mental health and social services, affirming that building a society whose members enjoy mental health and social well-being is a shared responsibility requiring everyone’s cooperation.
She stressed that investing in mental health is an investment in human capital, and that societies most capable of progress and prosperity are those that prioritize the mental health, dignity, and well-being of their citizens.
