Effat College hosted Mental Health Awareness Day

The theme of the event was "Depression Awareness: Living Beyond the Blues". Psychiatric Consultant & Director of Jeddah Psychiatric Hospital Dr. Nawaf Alharthi presented a lecture entitled Depression. Dr. Asma Siddiki, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs in Effat College, inaugurated the event.

She stated," We should encourage our students to participate and organize these events because they reflect Effat College's philosophy of taking learning beyond the class room."

Dr. Alharthi stated that there is a huge need for trained mental health professionals in Saudi Arabia, and Effat College can play an important role in providing graduates that can help satisfy this need. He further explained that the number of female depression patients was twice that of men, and that some of the leading causes of depression were stressful life events, chemical imbalance in the brain, unemployment, loss of a spouse, or loss of a parent before the age of 11. He also outlined that the treatment of depression can be achieved through Psychosocial Therapy, and Pharmaco Therapy.

According to Dr. Alharthi," The following conditions must be observed for treatment to be effective; patient safety must be guaranteed, a complete diagnostic evaluation of the patient must be carried out, and treatment plans must not only address immediate symptoms."Ms.Manal Al-Saig of Jeddah Psychiatric Hospital and Ms. Kim Mominah, Student Advisor of Effat College also made the presentations on the theme.

Dr. Tabassum Rashid, Chair of Psychology department in Effat College stated that, "The aim of the event was to spread awareness and information about depression which is a serious disorder and a robber of happiness. By assigning students with the responsibility to organize such events, we provide them with authentic experiences and equip them with leadership skills and motivate them to become more involved with community work."