World Mental Health Day - October 2023
Flourishing Minds Festival
Flourishing Minds Clinic is hosting Flourishing Minds Festival in support of World Mental Health Day from 10th to 13th of October 2023, in collaboration with 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. The festival is created around the Official Theme of WMHD 2023 – Mental Health is a Universal Right and will be featured as part of the World Federation for Mental Health Global Campaign 2023.
The themes each day are as below:
10th October 2023 – Day 1: Opening Minds and Building Resilience
11th October 2023 – Day 2: Self-Care and Mental Health Education
12th October 2023 – Day 3: Community Engagement and Empowerment
13th October 2023 – Day 4: Closing Celebration and Cultural Showcase
We are delighted to invite you to this event dedicated to promoting mental well-being, resilience, and unity within our community. Join us for a transformative experience that celebrates the power of resilience, creativity, and support in the realm of mental health.
Agenda
Day 1: "Opening Minds and Building Resilience"
Registration and Welcome
Opening Ceremony
Location: Main Auditorium
Moderated by: Anshu Jain, Emcee & Presenter
Agenda
- Welcome address: Ms. Tina Balachandran, Partner/Clinical Director, Flourishing Minds Clinic
- Presidential address: Dr. Nasser Loza, WFMH (online)
- Mental Health through Sport: Abdulla Y. Al Mulla, QOSM Director
- Al Thakira Road ITT Race for Mental Health: Dr. Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari, President, QCF
QOSM Gallery Visit
Location: Main Gallery
Celebrate Mental Health Day with a visit to Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Explore inspiring stories of resilience and excellence in sports history, promoting well-being through culture. Join us for an enriching experience.
Stress Management Workshop (Arabic)
Location: Meeting Room
Practical strategies to manage stress and build resilience.
Facilitation: Ms. Sajeda Maraqa, Clinical Psychologist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
Coping Through Creativity
Location: Meeting Room
An interactive art therapy session, encouraging emotional expression through creative activities
Facilitation: Ms. Trish Bedford, Art Therapist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
Mindful Athlete Adventure (open to children accompanied by parents)
Location: Activation Zone
The “Mindful Athlete Adventure” is an engaging and interactive session designed to educate kids about the vital connection between sports, physical health, and mental well-being. This activity aims to foster an understanding of how sports can contribute to positive mental health outcomes and teach children valuable life skills through fun and mindful sports-related experiences.
Facilitation: Sequences Wellness and QOSM
Resilience Panel Discussion
Location: Main Auditorium
Explore the profound significance of resilience in the realm of mental health through a dynamic panel discussion featuring our expert guests. This engaging conversation will delve into the essence of resilience, its pivotal role in maintaining mental well-being, and practical strategies for its cultivation.
Moderated by: Mohamed Eraky, Coach, Resilience & Empowerment Advocate
Panel Members
- Trish Bedford, Art Therapist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
- Dr. Ameera Al Kharaz, Psychiatrist, Mental Health Services, Hamad Medical Corporation
- Sheldon Smith, Founding Principal, Northview International School
- Moses Amonje, Acting Head of Activation, QOSM
- Bashier Al Manwari, Female Sprinter
- Menatalla Metwally Said ElBadway, 4th year medical student, mental health advocate
Mindfulness and Breathwork Session
Location: Main Auditorium
Guided mindfulness and breathwork session promoting inner calm and relaxation!
Facilitation: Sequences Wellness
Day 2: "Self-Care and Mental Health Education"
Registration and Welcome
Wellness Session
Location: Main Auditorium
Facilitation: Sequences Wellness
QOSM Gallery Visit
Location: Main Gallery
Celebrate Mental Health Day with a visit to Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Explore inspiring stories of resilience and excellence in sports history, promoting well-being through culture. Join us for an enriching experience.
Self-Care Practices Workshop (Arabic)
Location: Meeting Room
Facilitation: Ms. Sajeda Maraqa, Clinical Psychologist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
Building Emotional Resilience Workshop
Location: Meeting Room
Facilitation: Ms. Ivana Mrgan & Ms. Catherine Fernandez, Counselling Psychologists, Flourishing Minds Clinic
Athlete’s Art Therapy (open to children accompanied by parents)
Location: Activation Zone
Interactive session for youth to explore and express their emotions through creative art while connecting the process to mental health awareness and sports.
Facilitation: Flourishing Minds Clinic and QOSM
Harmony for Mental Health
Location: Main Auditorium
A celebration of the therapeutic power of music in promoting mental well-being. Join us on a musical journey as talented musicians, vocalists, and instrumentalists weave together an exquisite tapestry of sounds that touch the heart and soothe the soul. It is more than a performance; it’s a reminder that in the world of music, we find healing, resilience, and a shared sense of belonging.
Facilitation: Kirsten Hutchison, Music Therapist & Kamila Janik, Director Child Development Center
Performance: Music Lounge
Mindfulness and Breathwork Session
Location: Main Auditorium
Guided mindfulness and breathwork session promoting inner calm and relaxation!
Facilitation: Sequences Wellness
Day 3: "Community Engagement and Empowerment"
Registration and Welcome
Advocacy and Mental Health Policy Panel
Location: Main Auditorium
Our panelists are set to engage in a thought-provoking discussion covering a spectrum of crucial topics in the realm of mental health policy. Discussions to shed light on the impact of current policies on our communities, success stories and hurdles faced in advocating for mental health.
Moderated by: Stefan Lindberg-Jones, Coach, Podcaster, Mental Health Advocate for Entrepreneurs
Panel Members
- Tina Balachandran, Partner/Clinical Director, Flourishing Minds Clinic
- Iain Tulley, Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health – Hamad Medical Corporation and National Health Strategy Lead – Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Dr. Mahnaz Mousavi, Director Student Wellness & Counselling Center, Georgetown University
- Najla Al Kuwari, Breastfeeding Counselor and Educator, Mental Health Awareness Advocate
- Dr. Nelli El-Ghazal, Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Sidra
- Latifa Al Kuwari, Head of Academic and Community Outreach, QOSM
QOSM Gallery Visit
Location: Main Gallery
Celebrate Mental Health Day with a visit to Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. Explore inspiring stories of resilience and excellence in sports history, promoting well-being through culture. Join us for an enriching experience.
Mindful Living Workshop
Location: Meeting Room
An interactive workshop designed to introduce participants to the principles and practices of mindful living and healthy lifestyle choices. Mindfulness is an effective tool for reducing stress, enhancing well-being, and fostering a greater connection to the present moment.
Facilitation: Aishwarya Agicha, Clinical Psychologist, Flourishing Minds Clinic and QOSM
Talk to Me with Flourishing Minds Clinic
Location: Meeting Room
Ask an Expert
Location: Foyer
Facilitation: Flourishing Minds Clinic and Sequences Wellness
Mindful Scavenger Hunt: Emotions Edition (open to children accompanied by parents)
Location: Activation Zone
An interactive and educational activity designed to promote mindfulness, emotional awareness, and teamwork among children/youth. This engaging scavenger hunt is themed around emotions and their connection to sports, encouraging participants to explore their feelings and understand the importance of emotional well-being in sports and life.
Facilitation: Flourishing Minds Clinic and QOSM
Networking
Location: Foyer
Storytelling Night - Voices of Resilience with The 321 Active Heroes
Location: Main Auditorium
Storytelling Night – Voices of Resilience with The 321 Active Heroes featuring a QOSM 321 Action Hero, a community representative, and a special ‘me too’ activity that will touch your heart.
Our storytellers, drawn from diverse backgrounds, will share their journeys of resilience, strength, and hope, demonstrating that adversity can be overcome, and mental health can be nurtured – tapping into the power of storytelling in uniting us, fostering empathy, and reminding us that we are never alone on our mental health journeys.
Moderated by: Arafa Alhammadi, Coach & Mental Health Advocate
Panel Members
- Khadija Amin, Mental Health Advocate
- Abubaker Ali, Former Qatar athlete and Coach
- Noura Al-Thawadi, Coach & Founder of be.fit180o
Day 4: "Closing Celebration and Cultural Showcase"
Organized in collaboration with Qatar Cycling Federation
Registration and Welcome
Panel - Mental Health Hard Talk, Reclaim your mental health - Add Your Voice & Call for Action
Location: Main Auditorium
Platform for open and honest discussions about mental health, aiming to reduce stigma, empower individuals, and inspire action, by sharing their experiences, challenges, and ideas for improving mental health support systems.
Moderated by: Ms. Sajeda Maraqa, Clinical Psychologist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
Panel Members
- Catherine Fernandez, Counselling Psychologist, Flourishing Minds Clinic
- Joanna Rekik, Mom, Blogger, Business Owner, Mental Health Advocate
- Shefa Ali, Life & Business Coach
- Dr. Suhaila Ghuloum, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Mental Health Services, Hamad Medical Corporation
- Pierre Daniel, Endurance Coach & Athlete
- Amna AlMuhannadi, Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Instructor, Psychological & Social Counselor
Networking
Location: Foyer
Embrace the Mind
Location: Main Auditorium
A vivid portrayal of our shared human experience and the importance of supporting mental well-being for all. We explores the universal right to mental health, emphasizing that it knows no borders, cultures, or backgrounds.
Facilitation: Bhavna Sharma Naik
Narration: Flourishing Minds Clinic
Closing Ceremony and Gratitude with a collaborative communiqué
Location: Main Auditorium
Facilitation: Flourishing Minds Clinic and QOSM
At the heart of our festival lies the belief that a sound mind thrives in harmony with a healthy body. Through interactive workshops, invigorating movement sessions, and inspiring talks, we underscore the vital relationship between physical health, movement, and mental well-being. Embracing a holistic approach, we understand that nurturing our bodies is a cornerstone of nurturing our minds – let’s reshape perspectives, offer solace to those in need, and amplify the understanding that mental health is not a privilege but a universal right. Let’s stand together, learn together, and grow together as we pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future.
Collaborators
Friends of Mental Health
