The event was attended by 50 officials from the Ministry of Health, WHO, Jordanian Nursing Council and Jordan University Hospital.WHO/Jordan is pleased to announce the opening of a newly completed Mental Health Unit at the University of Jordan Hospital in Amman, established in collaboration with the WHO and the Jordanian Nursing Council. It is our hope that the creation of this unit will contribute to the hospital’s ongoing efforts in providing more comprehensive health services by addressing the mental health needs of the population in Jordan, including Jordanians and non-Jordanians. Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al Hussein, the opening ceremony was inaugurated by HRH representative His Excellency Dr. Tahir Shaksheer.

In the presence of the President of the University of Jordan, Dr. Ekhalif Al-Tarawneh, and the Director of the Hospital, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tamimi, the opening included a tour of all the facilities the unit has to offer. The event was attended by approximately 50 officials from the Ministry of Health, WHO, Jordanian Nursing Council and Jordan University Hospital.

The opening of this Mental Health Unit is one of many steps taken towards scaling up the mental health system and services in Jordan. It is seen as part of the broader WHO agenda to support our national partners in the development of an integrated and accessible provision of quality mental health services across the spectrum of care, based on the principles of multi-sectoral work, user empowerment and the observance of human rights standards. Similar to other mental health facilities previously established with the support of WHO, the unit will adopt a multidisciplinary, bio-psychosocial approach, and will play a crucial role in the referral system across the levels of care.  

The establishment of inpatient mental health units in general hospitals is regarded as one step towards decreasing the pervasive stigma that remains to be associated with mental health. WHO strives to highlight the need for advocacy, social understanding and recognition of the problem, in order to establish mental health as a cross-cutting issue that is an integral part of the health, social welfare, labor, education and other sectors.  It is crucial for us recognize mental health issues and to accept and support the people who suffer from them, not only in our health centers, but also in our schools, universities, workplaces, and community centres. WHO endeavors to create a new culture of understanding around this issue, allowing a greater level of awareness, acceptance, empowerment and action for an improved mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for all.