A forum addressing World Mental Health Day was held at Mazoon College earlier this week in Muscat.
The forum took place on October 27 under the theme “Your Voice, Your World” and the patronage of prominent psychologist and mental health advocate HH Sayyida Basma al Said. It brought together psychology and psychiatry academics and practitioners from across the country.
In his opening remarks, Dean of Mazoon College, Dr Hamood al Wardi, emphasised the importance of the forum.
“This occasion transcends boundaries of mere awareness to affirm a fundamental truth: mental health is not a luxury, but rather a cornerstone of human health and quality of life, and an essential foundation for building a balanced and productive society,” he said.
He added, “The international theme adopted this year for World Mental Health Day, ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’, carries a profoundly important message. It emphasizes that listening to human experiences and understanding psychological challenges without prejudice constitute the first step toward developing theories and therapeutic interventions that achieve real, sustainable change for individuals.”
He also highlighted the responsibility academic institutions carry in raising awareness and addressing societal challenges.
“The responsibility of academic institutions does not stop at transmitting knowledge; it extends to shaping awareness, preparing qualified talent, and contributing to societal challenges,” he said.
He expressed hope that the forum would encourage dialogue and inspire initiatives with a lasting impact.
“We hope this event serves as a space for meaningful dialogue and a launching pad for initiatives that leave a lasting impact well beyond today. Let us make listening a culture, awareness a responsibility, and knowledge an impact that makes a real difference in the lives of individuals and society.”
Organised by the college’s Humanities Club, the forum included multiple speakers, including Prof Dr Samir Hamad al Adawi, Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University.
Other speakers included Dr Aziz Nasser al Namany, psychiatrist at Al Qamma Medical Care Complex; Dr Maha Abdul Majeed al Aani, psychologist at the Student Counseling Center, Sultan Qaboos University; and Dr Mahfouza Rashid al Mushaqry, Director of the Student Counseling Center at the University of Nizwa.
The event was also accompanied by an exhibition, where the college’s students showcased their own interpretation of the event’s theme.
Speaking to the Observer, third-year psychology student and Humanities Club member Ibtisam al Nuumani explained how the students added their own perspective to this year’s theme.
“We’ve taken the World Mental Health Day theme and added our own elements as the Humanities Club,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the professionals who accepted the invitation to participate.
“When we discussed who to invite, we focused on professionals in the field who had inspired us. That’s how we chose the speakers who were able to join us today,” she said.
“The support came as a surprise to many of us in the club. It means a lot and motivates us to keep doing this work, especially in mental health for students,” she added.
She also explained that the Humanities Club is made up mainly of criminal justice and psychology majors.
“We’re trying to bring these fields together and explore how law and mental health can work alongside each other to create a better world. We look at their similarities and differences and consider ways to address challenges facing individuals and society,” she said.
Observed annually on October 10, World Mental Health Day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992 to raise awareness and encourage mental health advocacy and public education.
