The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has announced the implementation of an awareness program in collaboration with UNICEF, focusing on providing effective parenting guidelines to support adolescent mental health. This initiative is part of the ministry's efforts to offer comprehensive treatment services for adolescents and raise awareness among Egyptian families about positive parenting. The program aims to equip parents with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of adolescence.
According to Dr. Hussam Abdel-Ghaffar, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, parental guidance plays a crucial role in shaping an adolescent's personality and preparing them psychologically for a smooth transition to adulthood. During this critical stage, adolescents need containment, attentive listening, and a sense of security and trust, in addition to rules and supervision. The ministry recognizes the importance of supporting adolescents during this phase.
Dr. Ayman Abbas, head of the Central Administration for the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, announced the launch of a joint project between the ministry and UNICEF to design an awareness program providing guidelines on optimal parenting strategies. He emphasized that parents must understand that the psychological and emotional changes adolescents experience are a natural and essential part of their growth. This understanding is vital for effective parenting.
Dr. Niveen Dous, manager of the Health Section at UNICEF's Egypt office, highlighted that supporting the mental health of children and adolescents by directing health messages to parents presents a challenge that requires equipping them with the necessary skills. Parents need to overcome negative behaviors and develop their ability to cope with emotions and practice self-care. UNICEF is committed to supporting the mental health of adolescents.
Dr. Saly Noby, project coordinator and director general of specialized psychiatric medicine at the Central Administration for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, emphasized that a family aware of an adolescent's psychological needs contributes to acquiring the psychological and social skills necessary to build a more balanced and independent personality. The family plays a critical role in supporting adolescent mental health.
The awareness program's educational content was designed by a specialized technical team in adolescent psychiatric medicine. According to Dr. Walaa Hosny, director of the Children and Adolescents Department at Mental Health, family counseling is a permanent service and an integral part of treatment plans. This service is provided regularly within child and adolescent units at hospitals affiliated with the General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment.
A meeting was held at the UNICEF office in Cairo to discuss the artistic and scientific vision for media messages directed at parents. The meeting was attended by experts and specialists, including Dr. Hisham Rami, professor and head of the Psychiatry Department at Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Noura Sabry, professor of psychiatric medicine at Cairo University. The program aims to promote positive parenting practices.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has launched an awareness program in collaboration with UNICEF to support adolescent mental health.
- The program aims to provide effective parenting guidelines to support adolescent mental health and promote positive parenting practices.
- The initiative is part of the ministry's efforts to offer comprehensive treatment services for adolescents and raise awareness among Egyptian families about positive parenting.
