العربية 
Sana’a – The University of Science and Technology (UST), in cooperation with Al-Riyadah Psychiatric Hospital, organized today, October 10, 2026, a scientific and awareness event commemorating World Mental Health Day under the slogan “Lived Experiences.. Real Voices.. Real Change”, with the participation of academics, specialists, and university leadership, and in the presence of faculty members, students, and representatives of relevant entities.
The event, which was held in the Grand Hall at the Girls’ Branch, featured scientific and awareness speeches, guidance segments, and an accompanying awareness exhibition, with the participation of UST President, Prof. Dr. Al-Qassem Mohammed Abbas; the President of Thamar University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Hifi and his deputy; a number of academic leaders; representatives from the Ministry of Health; and experts and specialists in the field of mental health.
In his speech during the event, UST President, Prof. Dr. Al-Qassem Mohammed Abbas, emphasized the importance of observing World Mental Health Day as a fundamental pillar for individual stability and societal cohesion, stressing the need to enhance community awareness regarding mental health issues and ways to prevent and deal with psychological disorders.
He noted the importance of religious values and connection with Almighty God in enhancing psychological tranquility and stability, pointing out the growing challenges imposed by technological shifts and the wide spread of social media platforms, along with the psychological pressures, anxiety, and social isolation that may accompany them, particularly for young people.
Al-Qassem Abbas called upon the participants in the event to come out with practical recommendations that contribute to developing educational curricula, enhancing community awareness programs on mental health, and raising proposals to relevant authorities and decision-makers to help develop related services and programs.
For his part, the Vice President of Thamar University and mental health expert, Prof. Dr. Abdulkarim Zubaiba, emphasized the strategic importance of the psychology specialty and its role in various fields, including political, military, media, and educational spheres.
In his speech, he addressed the importance of paying attention to this specialty and developing its scientific and professional outputs, pointing out the necessity of benefiting from modern psychotherapy methods and enhancing the presence of specialists within the healthcare system.
The Vice President of Thamar University pointed out that estimates indicate about eight million people in Yemen need psychological care and support services, affirming that the scale of need calls for the integration of official and academic efforts and the expansion of specialized services.
In turn, consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialist and Chief of Medical Staff at Al-Riyadah Hospital, Dr. Mohammed Al-Ashwal, praised the organization of the event, emphasizing the importance of reviewing scientific knowledge and practices related to mental health and developing training and continuous qualification programs for specialized cadres.
Dr. Al-Ashwal stressed the necessity of updating study curricula to align with patient needs and scientific developments in the field of psychiatry, and benefiting from practical and field experiences to improve the quality of therapeutic and rehabilitation services.
Along the same lines, the Director of Al-Riyadah Psychiatric Hospital, Mr. Malik Al-Humaini, reviewed the medical, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services provided by the hospital, affirming the importance of developing institutional partnerships and enhancing cooperation with universities—foremost among them the University of Science and Technology and Thamar University—to serve society and elevate the level of psychological care.
The event witnessed the presentation of a scientific paper by Dr. Huda Al-Imad, Advisor to the UST President, titled “The Quranic Methodology and Mental Health”, in which she discussed the impact of the Holy Quran in enhancing psychological tranquility and building psychological resilience, and its role in supporting patience, emotion regulation, and coping with difficult emotions.
The paper reviewed a number of Quranic verses and their implications in supporting spiritual, intellectual, and behavioral aspects, pointing out the importance of integration between spiritual guidance, remembrance of God, and utilizing modern psychiatric methods in prevention and treatment while taking into account individuals’ needs and psychological conditions.
Furthermore, Dr. Al-Imad addressed comparisons regarding suicide rates in Yemen and several Western countries, noting that Yemen has not recorded official suicide cases despite the conditions of aggression and the blockade extending for over ten years, whereas suicide rates are high in Western countries, foremost among which is the United States of America. She emphasized the importance of studying religious, social, and psychological factors affecting mental health and utilizing scientific knowledge to enhance prevention and provide appropriate care.
The event concluded by emphasizing the importance of enhancing the status of mental health within educational and health plans and programs, intensifying community awareness and education programs, developing academic and professional qualification for specialized cadres, and encouraging scientific dialogue among students, academics, and experts, contributing to raising the level of awareness of mental health and improving services provided to society.
At the conclusion, the UST President and a number of university leaders were honored for their role in making the event a success.
