Sound mental health is a product of the subjective feeling of well-being and harmony with the environment During his visit to GCMHP, Dr. Jerry Lawler said "I am once again amazed how, in the midst of violence and occupation, GCMHP not just carries on, but, thrives. In four years, the situation has gotten worse, but, GCMHP continues as a beacon of hope in mental health, To read the full release, please link "GCMHP Hosted Donors Meeting in Gaza" GCMHP organized a meeting for the main donors of the Programme in order to discuss the strategic plan for the upcoming five years (20052010) and the possibility of forming a consortium for funding. To read the news item, please link….. Women Empowerment Project (WEP) Held 4 Public Meetings The Women Empowerment Programme, WEP, conducted four public meetings. The first meeting titled "Democracy and Elections", held in Rafah and attended by 50 women in the local area. The issue of freedom for women and their role in building society was highlighted. The second meeting was titled "The Concept of Mental Health", held in Rafah and attended by 40 women in the area. In this meeting, the psychosocial impact of Israeli practices on women and their role in the community was discussed. The third meeting was titled "The Concept and Types of Abuse", held in Rafah and attended by 35 women in the area. In this meeting, the types of abuse were discussed in details. The fourth meeting was titled "Social Upbringing" held in Nussairat Camp and attended by 30 women of the local area. The Page 1/3 purpose of these public meetings is to spread awareness and education about various mental health issues regarding women and ways of dealing with their children, as well as educating them of their rights and responsibilities in the community. Activities A Workshop about Violence against Women by WEP Women Empowerment Programme (WEP) of GCMHP in cooperation with the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy(MIFTAH) held a workshop titled "Violence against Women". This workshop comes in as part of the campaign to raise awareness of reproduction health matters. Many topics were raised including, the role of family counseling in courts, and the social upbringing of children as well as ways of preventing violence against women, giving women the chance to occupy higher positions in general security and courts. Launching the Palestinian Psychoanalytic Association (PPA) Dr. Jess Ghannam and Dr. Abdel Hamid Afana launched the Palestinian Psychoanalytic Association (PPA) with attendance of 55 of GCMHP post graduate diploma in mental health graduates. The PPA was launched for the professional development of mental health profession
Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) Delivered the Award to GCMHP. A representative from PsySR, Dr. Jerry Lawler (a researcher and psychologist), on behalf of Dr. Paul Kimmel, the president of PsySR,
presented the "Distinguished Contribution to Building Cultures of Peace" annual award that the Programme won to Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj and GCMHP directors and department heads. In the letter delivered by Dr. Lawler on behalf of the president, Dr. Lawler said "Psychologists for Social Responsibility is pleased to present the 2004 Distinguished Contribution to Building Cultures of Peace Award (To link )to Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in appreciation of its comprehensive community health programs in pursuit of peace, and in admiration for its tenacious perseverance to serve in the midst of battle".
human rights, and peace". "Israeli Occupying Forces Bulldozed the Home of A professional from GCMHP "At approximately 18:00 on Thursday, September 9th, Israeli troops surrounded the house of Ali El-Bahry, head of GCMHP's physiotherapy unit, located in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia. Israeli army bulldozed the 170square-meter, 3-storey house, belonging to ElBahry's family, rendering 21 members homeless. The demolition was sudden; the family was given only a five-minutes warning to evacuate. Ali's car and other personal belongings were buried under the rubble".
"Mental Health" for 20 graduates of the social work and psychology disciplines of Al-Azhar University. The course covered a number of topics including, introduction to mental health, communication skills, counseling and mental health, mental disorders, trauma and PTSD, and a number of other topics. A Graduation Ceremony for Police Officers GCMHP held a graduation ceremony for 23 police officers who finalized a training course on "Mental Health and Human Rights" conducted by GCMHP. The ceremony took place at the Gaza Central Prison hall and attended by representatives of the police force and professionals of GCMHP. The two parties emphasized on the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the two institutions in order to promote the mental health and human rights situation in Palestine. At the end of the ceremony, the graduates were given their training certificates. An Agreement between GCMHP and UNDP Mr. Salah Abdel Shafi signed an agreement with the UNDP in order to offer support for the Trauma Counseling Project for a short term period. A Visit To Bin Khalifa Training Centre Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj and Dr. Abdel Hamid Afana visited the "Center of his Excellency AL Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al
Than for Training &
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Development of Job Opportunities for Palestinian Refugees" in order to be acquainted with the services offered by the center and to discuss the possibility of cooperation between the center and GCMHP A Visit to Prisoners Association Mr. Salah Abdel Shafi and Husam El-Nounou visited the Prisoners Association (HUSSAM) and met with Rafiq Hamdona, Secretary General, to discuss future cooperation between the two organizations aiming to draft a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. A Meeting with Mental Health Organizations in West Bank Via video conference, a meeting was held between GCMHP Director General & department heads, the Palestinian Counseling Center in Jerusalem, and other health organizations to discuss mutual cooperation between Gaza Strip and West Bank to form a group for collaborative work and coordination in the area of mental health. Dr. Jess Ghannam is on A Mission to GCMHP from 7-17 September. Dr. Jess Ghannam, a professor of psychiatry at the University of San Francesco, and a member of the Academic Board visited GCMHP. During his mission, Dr. Jess Ghannam, taught a course titled "introduction to clinical psychology". He also
in Palestine. The function of PPA is to promote and develop psychoanalysis in Palestine, develop our Palestinian perspective on psychoanalysis, develop training opportunities, and improve our knowledge of psychoanalysis. In the first meeting, a case conference was presented and discussed from a psychoanalytic point of view. A second meeting is to be held in three months. A Seminar for GCMHP Professionals and Diploma Students GCMHP conducted a seminar for the professionals and diploma students. The seminar was run by Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj. In the seminar, three topics were discussed, the psychological aspects of martyrdom, the Palestinian election, and a establishing a civil society reform leadership. 35 professionals and diploma students
attended the seminar, which was held at the training hall of GCMHP. A Training Course on Mental Health for Police Officers The Training and Education Department in cooperation with the Rehabilitation Centers of the Palestinian Prisons, held an intensive training course for 14 police officers entitled "Mental Health and Human Rights" from September 5th-19th. Among the topics discussed were: culture and mental health, psychosocial impact of torture, communication skills, dealing with stress and secondary trauma, international human rights in dealing with prisoners, and professional burnout. A Training Course was Held for University Graduates. The training and Education Department held a two month training course titled
represented the Academic Board of the diploma in the Donors' consortium meeting held in Gaza. Dr. Ghannam launched the "Palestinian Psychoanalytic Association (PPA)". During his visit, Dr. Ghannam said "It is truly amazing that despite the brutal occupation that Palestinians in Gaza experience everyday, the incredible work of GCMHP continues under these extraordinary circumstances. It is a deep form of resistance that GCMHP continues to see patients, develop programs, have media programs, and diploma program. This is the definition of being steadfast." Sponsoring a Project in Cooperation with Rebuilding Alliance Donna Baranski-Walker, Executive Director of the Rebuilding Alliance in the USA met with Dr. Eyad ElSarraj and Salah Abdel Shafi to discuss a joint project with GCMHP. The project is building the house of Dr. Samir NaserAllah, which was demolished by the IOF in Rafah. In this house, Rachel Corrie, the martyred American peace activist stayed for 15 days and defended it against bulldozing by the Israeli Army. During the meeting, the two parties signed an agreement in which GCMHP will be the sponsor of the project of building the house of NaserAllah. To read more about the project, please link .
VISITORS
-Lora Anne Lucero American Planning Association and Dr. JERRY LAWLER from the University of Maryland in USA visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj and professionals of GCMHP. -Mr. Samy abu-Sultan, the Director of the Austrian Representative Office in Gaza, visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj in order to get acquainted with GCMHP services and activities. -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj met with Professor Koji Moito, from the University of Shizuoka Sangyo from Japan. They have discussed in details the Palestinian suffering under the Israeli occupation and the services of GCMHP in alleviating the consequences of exposure to violence. -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj met with Mr. Thierry Senechal, an expert in external evaluator in order to be acquainted with the Palestinian situation and the current suffering of Palestinian people as a result of continued Israeli violence. -Mr. Biers Gazalet, Deputy Consul, and Mr. Ross Allen, Political Consul of the British Consulate in Jerusalem visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad ElSarraj, who briefed them about the activities of GCMHP and the current
Palestinian situation under the Israeli Occupation -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj met with Ms. Lydia Saadat, the aid officer of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, and discussed the activities of the Programme and the current services offered by GCMHP to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian people as a result of exposure to violence by the Israeli occupation -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj and Dr. Samir Qouta met with Mr. Ambrogio Manenti the Director of the WHO office in West Bank and Gaza to discuss a joint research project with GCMHP titled Quality of life". -A delegation from Ard ElSalam (land of peace) center visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj to discuss the issue of mutual cooperation between the two agencies.
home visit to one of the children cases in Jabalia Camp.
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-The BBC news correspondent, Fayed Abu Shamallah met with Salah Abdel Shafi to talk about the general political situation and health and mental health situation of Palestinian people in the current conditions. -A journalist from the British newspaper, the Economist, interviewed Salah Abdel Shafi to discuss the current economical conditions due to the deteriorating political situation. -Salah Abdel Shafi conducted a radio interview with the local Palestinian radio to talk about the results of the donors' consortium meeting that was held on September 13 to discuss the future strategic work of GCMHP for the next 5 years. -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj conducted a radio interview with the South African Radio about the current Palestinian suffering under the Israeli occupation. -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj conducted an interview with Mr. Allan Johnston from the British TV BBC about the current conditions in the occupied territories. -Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj conducted an interview with the MBC Arabic channel about the general Palestinian situation and the psychosocial impact of the Israeli violence on Palestinians
MEDIA ACTIVITIES
-An Austrian Journalist and
film maker, Walter Wehmeyer, met with Ismael Ahmad and Rawia Hamam, and conducted reportage about a case of a child suffering from PTSD and treated at GCMHP. This is for a documentary film for the ORF Austrian TV. -Two Journalists Gorm Kjelsrvo Gaare and Bendik Sorvig working for Norwegian Newspapers met with Dr. Samy Owedia to talk about mental health of Palestinian children. They also met with the mental health worker Ibrahim Abu-Nada who accompanied them to a
Articles By Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj
An article in Arabic titled "Talk in Elections" was published in Al-Quds Arabic newspaper; to read the Arabic version, please link…
Address and contacts: Southern Rimal, Sheikh Ejleen, cross from Gaza Municipality Beach Club. P. O. Box 1049: Gaza City, Palestine .. Tel: +972 8 2825700, 282 5710, 2824073 Fax: +972 8 2824072 Email: rana@gcmhp.net Or pr1@gcmhp.net Website: www.gcmhp.net