The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has launched 'Sond' clinics to provide psychological support and counseling services to families of patients and healthcare workers. This initiative coincides with the celebration of World Mental Health Day 2026. The ministry has illuminated its hospitals and centers with green lights to raise awareness about the importance of mental health as a fundamental component of overall health and quality of life.
The green lighting of the facilities symbolizes hope for recovery and highlights the need for collective efforts to create a safe and supportive environment that respects the dignity of service recipients and protects their rights. Dr. Hussam Abdel-Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the ministry's efforts extend to developing services for patients and their families, as well as caring for the mental health of workers and service providers.
Dr. Ayman Abbas, head of the Central Administration for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, announced the continued development of mental health and addiction treatment services, as well as the expansion of awareness and community education activities. He revealed that 'Sond' clinics for psychological support and family counseling will soon be operational in two hospitals, Maamoura and Abbassia.
The clinics aim to help families of patients understand the nature of their conditions and how to deal with them, provide health and psychological education, and assess the psychological and social needs of families. The clinics will also offer follow-up services and referrals to specialized services when needed, with trained teams available for communication and follow-up.
The 'Sond' program includes a specific axis for promoting the mental health of workers and service providers by applying a specialized scale to assess the level of burnout and determining appropriate interventions. This includes developing skills to deal with professional stress and establishing mechanisms for preventing burnout and limiting its impact on the work environment and service quality.
The program allocates one day a week for providing psychological support and family counseling services to patients' families and another day for implementing a burnout prevention program for workers. This initiative supports the development of a comprehensive and sustainable mental health care system.
The Ministry of Health's efforts focus on spreading a culture of prevention and early intervention, encouraging seeking specialized support, and reducing the social stigma associated with mental disorders. The launch of 'Sond' clinics reflects the state's commitment to promoting mental health and providing support to those in need.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Health has launched 'Sond' clinics to provide psychological support and counseling services to families of patients and healthcare workers.
- The clinics aim to help families understand the nature of patients' conditions and provide health and psychological education.
- The program includes a specific axis for promoting the mental health of workers and service providers.
