Race, awareness sessions held to mark World Mental Health Day

AMMAN — Events in recognition of World Mental Health Day are under way in Irbid until October 15, with this year’s theme focusing on suicide prevention, according to a statement from Action Against Hunger.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), almost 800,000 people around the world die from suicide each year. The result of suicide impacts friends, family and colleagues. 

Much still needs to be done in order to prevent suicide and to build support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts. 

On Thursday, Action Against Hunger organised the “Embrace Life” race, with support from the Ministry of Health, WHO and the Directorate of Health in Irbid, according to the statement.

This was held with the participation of university students (from Al Yarmouk, Jadara, Irbid National University, Al Balqa Applied University and Jordan University of Science and Technology), youth centres, sports clubs, refugees, community-based organisations, community members and international non-governmental organisations who took part in the 2,500-metre race. 

Several sessions also followed the race inside the King Abdullah II Park to help spread awareness on the prevention of suicide, positive coping mechanisms for mental health challenges and services available for people in need of mental health support, the statement said.

Activities are implemented as part the organisation’s multi-sectoral water, sanitation and hygiene and Mental Health intervention with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD) and funded by the European Union’s Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian Crisis (the MADAD fund). This project is conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health, concluded the statement.