On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Faculty of Graduate Studies of Childhood at Ain Shams University, in cooperation with the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, at Ain Shams University organized a scientific conference entitled: “Adolescence...is it merely a biological, psychological and social stage in the journey of maturity one day or an era of life out of control?”

Under the auspices of Prof. Ghada Farouk, Acting President of Ain Shams University and Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, and Prof. Howaida Al-Jabali, Professor of Pediatrics, Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies of Childhood, and Prof. Iman Zaki, Professor of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, which continues on Thursday, October 12 (online), and the conference grants a certificate on the condition that students attend.

The conference hosted pediatric department doctors: Prof. Jalila Mukhtar Prof. Hiyam Nazif Prof. Elham Hosni Prof. Alia Ghotbi and Prof. Mona Reda, Professor of Psychiatry, Prof. Ihab Eid, Head of the Faculty’s Medical Department and Prof. Solaf Muhammad, Prof. Mustafa Al-Hodhud and Prof. Randa Matar, Prof. Mona Rashad, Prof. Yasmine Gamal, Prof. Mai Fouad, Prof. Zakaria Al-Desouki, Head of the Department of Media and Children’s Culture, Prof. Asst. Hoda Gamal, Head of the Department of Psychological Studies for Children, and Prof. Amr Nahle, Head of the Faculty’s Quality and Accreditation Unit.

Prof. Howaida Al-Jabali opened the conference activities by welcoming the attendees and all doctors from various specialties and pointed out that the tenth of October every year is World Mental Health Day, where mental health institutions globally and locally organize events to raise awareness of mental health problems in individuals and the need to pay attention to them and provide therapeutic services, for those suffering from psychological problems and disorders.

She extended special thanks to Prof. Eman Zaki for her efforts and support for World Mental Health Day and the expertise she provides. She is always keen to support children and community service and praised the fruitful cooperation with the Department of Pediatrics.

This was in the presence of a group of faculty professors: Prof. Salah Mustafa Prof. Hanan Al-Gamal, Prof. Maysa Farid, Prof. Reham Fahim, Prof. Hasna Othman, Prof. Reham Al-Husseini, Prof. Therese Bishara, Dr. Enas Rady, Dr. Nader Muhammad, Dr. Reham Sabry, Dr. Reham Ahmed, Dr. Hanan Abu Al-Nasr, Dr. Menna Allah Al-Sawy, Dr. Basma Hussein, Dr. Ashraf Shalaby, Dr. Naglaa Salah, and Mr. Hossam Mahdy, Dean of the Faculty.

Prof. Iman Zaki explained in her speech that World Mental Health Day is held every year to spread awareness to help people with mental disorders instead of further exacerbating their problems, noting that the world during the Corona pandemic has witnessed psychological worsening among these patients who need continuous care and constant supervision in order to avoid the problems in their lives.

She confirmed that after pandemics such as the Corona pandemic and wars, incidents of violence appear among segments of society, and psychological disorders spread among multiple segments of people, such as narcissistic personality disorders and depression.

She also urged teaching children to think logically by expressing their opinions and needs teaching them right from wrong, and to be able to leave them the space to express themselves, and to develop in them a sense of responsibility.

And to develop in their conscience, and that parents must follow their children, whether children or young people, and respect their minds, and that this represents a large part of their psychological health, and that parents must teach children from a young age to respect religion, belief, and culture that encourages adherence to good societal values, which reduces their drift behind misleading calls in the future.

The conference activities included presenting and discussing a number of cases in order to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and advance measures that promote and protect mental health for all as a universal human right. Mental health is a basic human right guaranteed to everyone. Every person, whoever and wherever they are, has the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health, including the right to be protected from mental health risks.