Oman hosts first GCC Mental Health Conference
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The First GCC Mental Health Conference began today under the theme “Access to Services: Mental Health During Disasters and Emergencies”. The three-day event is organized by the Ministry of Health, represented by Al Masarra Hospital and coincides with World Mental Health Day.
The opening ceremony took place under the patronage of Sulaiman Nasser Al Haji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative and Financial Affairs. The event was attended by officials, specialists and researchers from Oman and other GCC countries.
The conference aims to promote mental health awareness, facilitate the exchange of expertise among professionals and present new research and strategies to enhance access to effective mental health services.
Sessions on the first day covered topics such as addiction, artificial intelligence and the influence of traditional and social media on mental health awareness. Omani researchers presented studies including “Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder”, “Stigma About Seeking Psychological Assistance” and “Types of Psychological Stress Among Family Caregivers".
Discussions also explored the role of smart technologies in mental health care and the Ministry of Health’s efforts to integrate AI into its services in line with Oman Vision 2040.
The opening day concluded with an exhibition showcasing field studies and research on various mental health topics.