Sidra Medicine emphasized the importance of mental health in the family as part of its ongoing commitment to support the development and advancement of mental health services in Qatar.
“Mothers are the key to the mental health of the family, and we need mothers to be in sound physical and emotional health. It is important that pregnant women and mothers feel supported and empowered, we can ask women,” said Dr. Phyllis Watt, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Women’s Mental Health at Sidra Medicine. “How are you feeling?” Or “What can I do to help you?” And to provide support and sympathy for her, it is also important to listen to her without judgment. If you feel that you are unable to support her, help her to get professional help.
Mental health affects not only the woman, but also her pregnancy, children, and family. This highlights the importance of the mental health and comfort of parents and infants.
The Infant Mental Health Program describes a child’s ability to form close relationships with his surroundings, recognize and express emotions, and explore and identify with his environment. Every interaction (whether positive or negative, or even if there is no interaction) contributes to a child’s brain development and lays the groundwork for what he will learn next.
To benefit from their full potential, children need to support their physical and psychological health and to live in an environment that nurtures them well. This includes providing open, responsive care, so that the caregivers notice, understand and respond to the child’s cues in a timely and appropriate manner. Early learning opportunities should also be encouraged.
A father plays a unique and important role in the development of his children and in supporting his wife.
In turn, Dr. Zainab Imam, a psychiatrist at Sidra Medicine, says: According to research that appeared in the Wiley Online Library 1.1, about 10 per cent of new fathers suffer from depression, especially if their wives are depressed. While 18 percent of parents suffer from anxiety. Since most new mothers view the husband as the main source of support, poor support from the father can lead to a deterioration in the mother’s mental health.
Dr. Imam “We advocate the need for stronger support systems for parents, encourage them to participate, give them an opportunity to talk about their experiences as parents, learn how to support their children’s development, and most importantly, they need support to access” professional help when needed, without feeling the shame that prevents many New parents ask for help. “
To book an appointment at the Women’s Mental Health Service at Sidra Medicine, pregnant women or newly born mothers can directly call 7109 4003 or 7177 4003 (7 am to 3 pm on weekdays).
Qatar has designated a helpline (16,000) to support people of all ages and nationalities seeking advice on dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. The helpline is available from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. From Sunday to Thursday, and from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays.
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