damietta Hospital Kicks off Football League for Mental Health Recovery
In a heartwarming display of support and recovery, Damietta Mental Health Hospital in Egypt recently hosted a unique football league for patients recovering from mental health challenges and addiction. The tournament, part of the ”A holiday Like Other” New Year’s campaign, underscores Egypt’s growing commitment to mental wellness initiatives.
Organized by the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, under the leadership of Dr. Manen Abdel Maqsoud, the Secretary-General, the league provided a powerful platform for healing and camaraderie. Dr. Shaima Al-Bashbishi, the hospital’s director, oversaw the event, which saw teams from several recovery facilities compete. These included teams from Al-Azzazi Hospital in Sharkia governorate, Damira Hospital in Dakahlia Governorate, and Port Said hospital.
The games took place at the hospital’s stadium, culminating in a final qualifier match. The winning team, from Al-Azzazi Hospital, will advance to compete in the next round at the Imbaba Hospital Stadium for Addiction Rehabilitation and Treatment.
The initiative received high-level support, with patronage from dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, and Dr. Ayman Al-Shehaby, the Governor of Damietta. The league aligns with the Presidential Initiative for Human Development, “A New Beginning for Human Building,” and the Presidential Initiative to Support Mental Health, “Your Health, Your Happiness.”
This innovative approach to recovery highlights the power of community and sport in fostering mental well-being. The success of this program could inspire similar initiatives in the U.S. and globally, demonstrating the importance of holistic approaches to mental health care.
This article describes a football (soccer) league organized by Damietta Mental Health Hospital in Egypt for patients recovering from mental health challenges and addiction.
Here are some key takeaways:
Purpose: The league aims to promote healing, camaraderie, and mental well-being among recovering patients.
Organization: It is indeed part of the “A holiday Like Other” New Year’s campaign by the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment.
Participants: Teams from several recovery facilities participated,including Al-Azzazi Hospital,Damira Hospital,and Port Said hospital.
Winner: Al-Azzazi Hospital team won and will advance to the next round at Imbaba Hospital Stadium.
Support: The initiative has high-level support from the Egyptian government, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population.
Alignment: The league aligns with national initiatives focused on human development and mental health support.
* Impact: this innovative approach highlights the positive impact of community and sports on mental well-being and recovery.
this league is a prime example of using sports as a tool for therapeutic intervention and social inclusion for individuals facing mental health challenges.
