Mental Health and Current Situation in Lebanon

Within the framework of the DIGIHEALTH Erasmus+ project activities, the School of Health Sciences at MUBS organized on November 3, 2021 a symposium about “Mental Health and Current Situation in Lebanon”. Coordinated by Linnaeus University (Sweden) represented by Professor Mosad Zineldin , “Innovative digital Skills & Teaching Methods for Effective Health Education in Lebanon & Syria – DIGIHEALTH” Erasmus+ project aims at promoting excellence creative and innovative digital teaching and learning approaches through advanced ICT solutions to improve quality of health education in order to prepare well-qualified graduates who are able to adapt to changing healthcare environment, meet societal expectations and sustain healthy environment in Lebanon and Syria. The event started with welcoming speeches by Professor Nina Zeidan (Dean of MUBS School of Health Sciences) and Professor Fred Saleh (Associate Dean of MUBS School of Health Sciences). Professor Bassem Kaissi (Vice President for International Affairs at MUBS) then explained the main activities envisaged in the Digihealth Erasmus+ project and focused on the progress achieved so far at MUBS. The symposium speakers included Dr. Rabih Chammay (Lebanese Ministry of Public Health), Ms Edwina Zoghbi (World Health Organization) Dr. Lamis Jomaa and Dr. Lilian Ghandour (American University of Beirut), Ms Sara Abou Ibrahim and Dr. Diana Maddah (Modern University for Business and Science) , Ms Nancy Kayal Abou Zeid and Ms Joy Abi Habib (Save the children International) The topics discussed covered the National Mental Health Program in Lebanon; the WHO mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP); a recent study on food insecurity among college students has been found to be associated with poor mental health outcomes including increased self-reported depression, anxiety and lower subjective wellbeing; the high burden of mental health problems in all age groups; digital tools that may be used for promoting students’ learning experience in mental health courses; mental health programs among refugees; interventions to provide refugees with resources to support their mental health… The symposium was attended by 114 participants representing the relevant public authorities in Lebanon, university representatives, MUBS faculty members and students, relevant international organizations and NGOs, faculty/student refugees, and IT department staff… https://www.mubs.edu.lb/oia/news/6546.aspx