The national campaign for raising awareness on mental health and rights of people with mental illness expanded this year to include the southern parts of Libya. The campaign was organized in partnership with the national centre for disease control in Tripoli, media and public education directorate at the Ministry of Health and the Libyan association for psychological sciences.
A number of preparatory meetings and field visits was organized during the first quarter of the year. The campaign was held at the city of Sebha on 28 April 2013. Key figures from the community including policy makers, celebrities and community leaders participated in the opening ceremony. Seminars to advocate for the integration of people with mental illnesses into the community and fight stigma were part of the campaign's programme.
A total of six workshops for raising awareness on mental health and rights of people with mental illnesses were conducted on 29 April 2013. Each workshop targeted different population groups including medical students, mosque preachers, police officers, media personnel, Red Crescent and school teachers. Local radio stations broadcasted audio clips recorded by the Libyan actors highlighting common myths about mental disabilities.
Printed materials on the campaign were distributed by the Libyan Red Crescent Society at several locations in the city. The launching of the campaign coincides with the kick off of the community mental health mobile services at Al thanwya primary health care centre.
Related programmes
Mental health and substance abuse
