WHO Representative in Jordan Dr Akram Eltom visits the AlHashmi community mental health centre in Amman
On 26 September 2012, WHO representative to Jordan Dr Akram Eltom conducted a field visit to two of Jordan’s leading mental health centres. Dr Akram first visited the Al Hashmi community mental health centre in Amman. The Al Hashmi centre was established by WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in 2009. It is one of three pilot centres in Jordan and serves as a model for future outpatient services.
The centre adopts a comprehensive, biopsychosocial model of care, and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team providing mental health services to patients with mild, moderate and severe mental health conditions. The team is comprised of a psychiatrist, psychologists, occupational therapist and a nurse. WHO provides technical support to the clinic.
Dr Akram’s visit included a brief presentation by the clinic staff on services they provide and system of care, as well as mental health beneficiaries who shared their success stories and experiences of recovery.
Dr Akram’s second visit was to the national centre for mental health in Amman, where he visited a pilot mental health inpatient unit that was established by WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in 2009. This pilot unit also adopts a biopsychosocial approach, and it is hoped that the centre will become a model for future inpatient units in all general hospitals in Jordan.
Dr Akram stressed the importance of good mental health facilities in Jordan. He stated that mental health was one of the most important areas in which WHO works.
The stigma that surrounds mental health often means that people feel reluctant to seek help. However, through the continued work of centres such as Al Hashmi and the national centre for mental health, WHO believes that these barriers can be broken and the stigma overcome.
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