Authorities are working to improve mental health services in the Kingdom through a new unit at the health ministry, a ministry official said on Sunday.
Adel Bilbeisi, ministry adviser, pointed out that health officials have established a unit to provide care for mental health patients as part of ongoing efforts to boost health services.
He noted that the unit aims to expand services provided to mental health patients and to reach out to people who are deterred from going to specialised mental health centres due to social stigmas.
Bilbeisi made the remarks at an event held yesterday to mark World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, celebrated this year under the theme, “The Need for Continued and Integrated Mental Health Care”.
During a ceremony held in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), a group of persons with mental illnesses announced the launch of a society for people with psychological disorders.
According to group founders, Khutwetna (Our Step), is the first Jordanian society founded and managed by persons with mental disorders and caregivers.
“The society’s goal is to raise public awareness on mental illnesses and to encourage those suffering from such disorders to seek treatment,” founding member Hadeel Far said at the event yesterday.
She added that the society will also organise social activities to integrate members and other persons with mental illnesses into society.
According to Hashim Elzein, WHO representative in Jordan, mental health services in the Kingdom are now provided by three multi-disciplinary teams providing psychological support.
He noted that there are no accurate figures on how many people in the country suffer from mental disorders. WHO estimates indicate that mental, neurological and substance use disorders account for 14 per cent of the global burden of disease.
Jordan Times