A specialized international scientific symposium, titled "“Regional to Global Transition of Refugee Mental Health Towards Resilience,” was held at the University of Jordan (UJ) on July 2nd and 3rd under the patronage of HRH Prince Hassan.
 
The event was organized by the Department of Psychology at the School of Arts in partnership with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS).
 
Health Minister Saad Jaber opened the symposium on behalf of HRH the Prince and delivered an address in which he indicated that 70% of refugees suffer from psychological disorders as a result of mass conflicts, wars and displacement.
 
He said that Jordan has served a positive role by hosting refugees, a thing that has imposed a huge burden on the Kingdom's healthcare sector.
 
The Minister urged the Ministry of Health and the ministries of social development and planning, as well as local and international organizations to assist in offering psychological support for refugees.
 
The Health Ministry is committed to implementing a work plan to provide high-quality psychological services and social support in the field of mental health, Jaber added.
 
UJ President Prof. Abdul Karim Qudah said that the influx of refugees and the crisis’ social, economic and demographic implications, have affected citizens' daily lives and requires coherence in plans and developmental programmes.
 
Qudah added that the Symposium is a constructive step towards meeting the needs of the society and in dealing with the changes that may occur.
 
Chairman of the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation Maher Azzouz urged the international community to fully uphold its material and regulatory responsibilities, calling on host communities, NGOs and UN assemblies working in the humanitarian field to reconsider strategies dealing with the needs of refugees by focusing on refugees and those in host communities’ psychological well-being.
 
The symposium featured academic institutions, governmental agencies, INGOs, and civil society organizations involved in refugees’ health.
 
The first day's focus was on providing a comprehensive evaluation of professional and academic practices related to mental health services for refugees and community members and on developing a strategy with recommendations geared toward a comprehensive approach to refugee mental health services.
 
The second day addressed mental health education and exchange of experiences and best practices in the field in accordance with the latest international standards related to mental health.