World mental health day celebrated in Irbid

Events in recognition of World Mental Health Day are underway in Irbid between 10 and 15 October, as people gather to part in different activities organised by Action Against Hunger. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day focuses on suicide prevention.

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

Embrace Life

On Thursday 10 October, Action Against Hunger is organising the “Embrace Life” race, with support from the Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO, and the Directorate of Health in Irbid. This will occur with the collaboration 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 (CBOs), community members, and international non-governmental organisations who will take part in the 2,500-metre race.

Several awareness sessions will follow 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 what services are available for people needing mental health support.

Activities are implemented as part the organisation’s multi-sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene and Mental Health intervention with the support of Agence Française Développement (AFDand 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 (MoH).