Latest news with #MentalHealthDepartment
Hi Dubai
02-04-2025
- Health
- Hi Dubai
EHS and Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Enrich Hospital Wards with 5,000 Books
In a significant step towards integrating culture and knowledge into healthcare, Emirates Health Services (EHS), through its Mental Health Department, has partnered with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's "A World Reads" initiative to provide over 5,000 Arabic and English books to hospital libraries. Timed with National Reading Month, this collaboration aligns with EHS's vision to establish libraries in hospital wards, fostering a therapeutic environment enriched with intellectual engagement. The initiative aims to promote a reading culture and broaden access to knowledge for all societal segments, including patients in EHS facilities. An official handover event at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital marked the initiative's launch, attended by key figures including Dr. Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS; Dr. Ammar Albanna, Director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital; and Ali Juma Al Tamimi, Director of the Libraries Department at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Dr. Noor Almheiri emphasized that integrating books into hospitals supports mental well-being by providing patients with intellectual stimulation, a connection to the world, and opportunities for personal development. She highlighted that reading plays a pivotal role in rehabilitation and enhancing the quality of life. Ali Juma Al Tamimi reiterated the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's commitment to fostering a culture of reading, particularly among youth, to build a knowledge-driven society. He noted that initiatives like "A World Reads" contribute to lifelong learning and national development by expanding access to diverse knowledge resources. The initiative involves distributing books across multiple EHS facilities and setting up hospital libraries to support both educational and therapeutic programs. This effort aligns with the UAE's broader literacy and cultural goals, including National Reading Month "UAE Reads 2025" and the UAE Centennial 2071 Vision, which aspires to create a knowledge-based society. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House eyes Oklahoma mental health hospital alternative amid soaring price tag
An artist rendering of the Donahue Behavioral Health Campus. (Courtesy image) OKLAHOMA CITY — The construction of a new inpatient mental health hospital is $124 million over budget, and House budget leaders do not want taxpayers to pick up the tab. The Donahue Behavioral Health Campus, located in Oklahoma City, was budgeted for $147 million and broke ground in March 2024. It would serve adults and adolescents with 330 beds when completed, an increase in capacity by 100 beds from the Griffin Memorial Hospital, in Norman, it is intended to replace. But in its budget request to the Legislature for the 2026 fiscal year, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services asked for another $124 million to cover overrun costs. The House recommended not fulfilling this request. Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, said House leaders believe the Donahue project is too costly and a cheaper alternative must be found. 'The House position is we want to do something transformational when it comes to shortening that waitlist, especially when it comes to mental health issues,' he said. 'The Donahue build-out, as it stands right now, not only has come in over budget, but also had hiccups along the lines of, they forgot to put bathrooms in. … There's a facility out there that I think we can purchase for about 15% of what it would cost to build the Donahue, and we want to get that done.' He said there's no 'firm commitment' from the governor, the Senate or the Mental Health Department on this recommendation, but the House is working to see this plan come to fruition. In December, Oklahoma Watch reported the budget shortfall and that the opening of the hospital could potentially be pushed to 2028, rather than the scheduled 2026 date, due to unexpected costs, changes in the layout and number of bathrooms, and inflation. Kelsey Davis, a spokesperson for the Mental Health Department, said there are no updates from the agency on their next steps or the reason for the cost overrun. The agency is actively working through what the future of the project will look like if the Legislature opts not to provide the extra funding, she said. Lawmakers committed $87 million in pandemic relief funds to the project. Oklahoma City leaders and county commissioners also contributed funding, with additional dollars expected to come from the sale of the Griffin Memorial Hospital land. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Gulf Today
31-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
EHS provides over 5,000 books to support patients
The Emirates Health Services (EHS), represented by its Mental Health Department, is collaborating with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library and its initiative 'A World Reads' to enrich its libraries with over 5,000 Arabic and English books across various fields and disciplines. This initiative coincides with the National Reading Month and aligns with EHS's vision to establish libraries in hospital wards. This step reflects the institution's commitment to promoting cultural and intellectual awareness in its therapeutic environment, in line with the initiative's goal of spreading a reading culture and enhancing knowledge across all segments of society, including patients in EHS facilities. EHS received more than 5,000 diverse books from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, including educational and developmental titles in both Arabic and English, during an event held at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, attended by Dr. Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, Dr. Ammar Albanna, Director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, Ali Juma Al Tamimi, Director of the Libraries Department at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, and representatives from the library. Dr. Noor Almheiri emphasised that participation in 'A World Reads' reflects the organisation's belief in the importance of culture and knowledge in improving quality of life, noting that providing books in hospitals supports patients' mental health, gives them a window into the outside world, and offers an opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills, which supports their treatment and rehabilitation journey. Ali Juma Al Tamimi reaffirmed the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's dedication to instilling a culture of reading and knowledge among all groups in society, especially youth, who are considered the cornerstone of building society and developing intellectual capabilities. He stated that reading shapes minds, fosters creativity, and enhances the spirit of belonging and national responsibility. Al Tamimi added that the library's various initiatives, including 'A World Reads,' aim to empower all segments of society by providing access to diverse knowledge resources that broaden minds and perspectives. This vision aligns with national efforts, including the Reading Month and the National Literacy Strategy, which aims to raise reading habits to 80 percent among students and 50 per cent among adults. The initiative includes distributing books to multiple EHS facilities and establishing libraries in hospital wards, contributing to both educational and therapeutic programmes, and offering patients and their companions the chance to benefit from books as a source of knowledge and psychological support during treatment. The 'A World Reads' initiative promotes reading by providing access to diverse sources of knowledge, supporting lifelong learning, community development, and the advancement of all societal components. This collaboration aligns with EHS's strategy to strengthen partnerships with local entities in support of national knowledge and cultural initiatives, consistent with the goals of National Reading Month 'UAE Reads 2025' and the UAE Centennial 2071 Vision, which aspires to build an advanced, knowledge-based society. recently, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library donated more than 40,000 books to various governmental and educational institutions and libraries, and more than 5,000 books of different subjects to 11 new educational complexes in the Zayed Educational Complexes in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The library aims to distribute 5,100 books in the upcoming period, to support its vision of making knowledge accessible to the public. 'A World Reads' initiative was commended by the officials in the targeted educational complexes, who stressed that this step embodies the UAE's vision and strategy to foster a culture of reading and learning. They highlighted that these books will be a source of inspiration for students, and will contribute to shaping their academic future to be brighter and more advanced as each book is an opportunity for them to discover new worlds. 'A World Reads' initiative strives to support and enrich school libraries, educational institutions, centres, clubs, reading cafés, and government departments with a valuable and diverse collection of Arabic and English books for children, youth, and adults. This supports the UAE's strategy to spread knowledge, encourage reading, empower schools across the country. WAM
Hi Dubai
28-02-2025
- Health
- Hi Dubai
Emirates Health Services Launches 15 Specialised Mental Health Clinics
Emirates Health Services (EHS) has announced the launch of 15 specialised mental health clinics as part of its "Together for Mental Well-being" initiative . The expansion aims to enhance community access to mental health services across six emirates, including Dubai and Fujairah. The initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Yousif Mohammed Al-Serkal, Director-General of EHS. The initiative aligns with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, reflecting EHS's commitment to improving the quality of life and mental well-being of the community. Dr. Noor Al Mheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, emphasised that integrating mental health services into primary healthcare is a strategic priority. This approach ensures early access to specialised care and promotes a more comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system. Dr. Kareema Alraesi, Director of the Primary Healthcare Department at EHS, highlighted that the initiative represents a shift towards a holistic health model. The incorporation of mental health services within primary healthcare centres facilitates early detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions. Healthcare professionals will receive specialised training to enhance their skills in identifying mental health disorders and providing effective treatments. The clinics will offer diagnostic and therapeutic services for various psychological conditions, with family physicians trained in mental health care. The initiative also includes the development of electronic mental health systems within the "Wareed" health information system, ensuring accurate data management and evidence-based decision-making. The launch event featured lectures and workshops on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) integration, anxiety and depression treatments across age groups, risk assessment, and early intervention techniques. This comprehensive initiative underscores EHS's dedication to advancing mental health care and supporting the well-being of the community. News Source: Emirates News Agency
