Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Mental Wellness in the Kurdistan Region

📍 University Convention Center  – May 15, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) | As part of its strategic commitment to public health, interdisciplinary research, and inclusive well-being, the University of Duhok (UOD) hosted its first-ever Mental Health Symposium titled “University as Foundation and Source for a Healthy Mind” on May 11, 2025. The symposium brought together experts from medical, educational, psychological, and sociological disciplines to emphasize the university’s central role in supporting mental wellness across the Kurdistan Region.

🎓 A Multidisciplinary and Collaborative Effort
Organized in collaboration with:

• College of Medicine – University of Duhok
   
• College of Humanities (Departments of Psychology Sciences, Religious Education and Sociology)
   
• College of Nursing
   
• College of Basic Education (Departments of Educational Counselling, and Special Education)
   
• College of Fine Arts
   
• College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences
   
• General Directorate of Health – Duhok
   
• Kurdistan Doctors Syndicate – Duhok Branch
   
• Kurdistan Psychiatric Association
   
• Iraqi Psychiatric Association
   

The event featured panel discussions, art-based therapy demonstrations, and speeches that highlighted the link between mental health and education, community service, and social development.

🎙️ UOD Leadership Emphasizes Long-Term Commitment
President of UOD, Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, opened the symposium by stating:

“Mental health is a shared responsibility. At UOD, we are proud to be at the forefront of addressing these challenges through academic integration and public engagement.”

Dr. Atrushi emphasized the role of the university’s Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) in supporting patients affected by trauma and called for the establishment of additional mental health centers across the region. He reaffirmed UOD’s commitment to supporting mental health awareness and treatment initiatives through its strategic plan.

📚 Expert Contributions and Diverse Academic Participation
The symposium featured speeches from leading faculty and specialists including:

• Dr. Nawzad Sami – General Directorate of Health, Duhok:

He stated that mental health is an essential part of overall health, noting that one of the conditions for general well being is having good mental health.
 

• Dr. Yousif Ali Yassin – Head of Scientific Committee:

Dr. Yousif said that they started this symposium at the University of Duhok because they have made the university a foundation and source for a healthy mind, with specialists in this field. He also stated that mental health is no less important than physical health; rather, both are of equal importance or even more, according to the definition of global organizations.
 

• Dr. Musab Abdulhafidh Zainal – IPP
   
• Lecturer Furat Saleh – College of Humanities
   
• Dr. Anfal Zainal – College of Nursing
   
• Dr. Warjin Yassin Sulaiman – College of Medicine
   
• Dr. Sumaya Saeed Khalid – College of Humanities
   
• Dr. Jihan Saeed Adel – College of Basic Education
   
• Lecturer Rahma Tahsin – Department of Special Education
   
• Dr. Sarbast Ahmed – Department of Plastic Arts
   
• Lecturer Bekas Noori Abdullah – Department of Music
   
• Dr. Bashar Mohammed Tahir – Department of Drama
   
• Dr. Azad Saeed Simo – Department of Religious Education
   
• Dr. Warhel Asim Mohammed – College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences
   

Topics covered included psychiatric care, educational psychology, psychodrama, religious and spiritual therapy, sociological approaches, and the role of art and music in mental health recovery.

🎭 Creative Expressions and Holistic Healing
The symposium also integrated cultural elements such as a musical performance by student Jehgir Anas from the Department of Music, illustrating how creative arts contribute to emotional healing and expression.

📈 Strategic Alignment with UOD’s Vision 2023–2038
The symposium reflects key pillars of UOD’s strategic priorities:

• Integration of mental health into university curricula
   
• Advancing interdisciplinary academic research
   
• Promoting community well-being through academic institutions
   
• Establishing sustainable public health frameworks
   
• Supporting capacity-building in psychiatric and psychological care
   

🧠 Conclusion and Way Forward
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the participating academics, organizers, and supporting staff. UOD reiterated its position as the first public university in Iraq to prioritize mental health integration as a key part of its strategic plan and will share its roadmap with other institutions through the Ministry of Higher Education.

The event concluded with a strong call for ongoing collaboration between academia, healthcare providers, and government entities to build a healthier, more resilient society.

CLICK TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

📢 University Press Office | May 15, 2025
📝 Reported by: Bareen M. Ahmed, Rondik Fadhil Adil
📸 Photography: Mohammed Abdulkareem Tahir, Hussein Ismail Mohammed

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