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Qatar Foundation fights stigma of mental health with Healthy Minds Healthy Lives event for its staff and students

Doha, Qatar, 10 October 2011 - Staff and students at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) , today learnt about the effects mental health issues can have on an individual's career and family life, as part of QF's Healthy Minds Healthy Lives event.

The day-long event, which took place at QF's Recreation Center, was organized by the Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) Directorate as part of its on-going responsibility for providing a physically safe, healthy and secured learning and work environment for staff, students and visitors to QF.

"With QF's extensive members of staff, over 4,000 students and hundreds of visitors, it is our job to ensure each and every one of them is given a safe and happy environment in which to work and learn," said Abdulla Al Modhaki, Director of Health, Safety, Security & Environment at QF. "It is for this reason that QF is leading the change in attitude with the Healthy Minds Healthy Lives event. We hope that more staff and students will be encouraged to open up about mental health issues."

Several organizations including the Supreme Council of Health Authorities, the Qatar Red Crescent, Family Consulting Center, AMAL, Qatar Diabetes Association, the Center for Protection of Mother and Child, and FANAR - Qatar Islamic Cultural Center., joined forces with QF to provide information about mental health through films, booklets and discussions, as well as share different exercises that can help.

QF staff and students were also given the opportunity to have one-to-one consultations with doctors and were provided with information on where to go for further help and advice.

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Qatar Foundation - Unlocking human potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development is a private, non-profit organization that is supporting Qatar on its journey from carbon economy to knowledge economy by unlocking human potential for the benefit of not only Qatar, but the world. Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, QF is chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

QF carries out its mission through three strategic pillars: education, science and research, and community development. QF's education pillar brings world-class universities to Qatar to help create an education sector in which young people can develop the attitudes and skills required for a knowledge economy. Meanwhile, its science and research pillar builds Qatar's innovation and technology capacity by developing and commercialising solutions through key sciences. Finally, its community development pillar helps foster a progressive society while also enhancing cultural life, protecting Qatar's heritage and addressing immediate social needs in the community.

www.qf.org.qa

For more information please contact:
Sufia Lodhi
Press Office
Qatar Foundation - Communication directorate
Tel: +974 44541018
E-mail: slodhi@qf.org.qa

Anwar El-Shamy
Press Office Coordinator
Communication Directorate
Qatar Foundation
Tel: +974 5590 4407

© Press Release 2011