UOD, January 29, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) —
As part of its ongoing commitment to staff welfare, mental health awareness, and sustainable institutional development, the University of Duhok (UOD) organized a specialized workshop titled “Work Stress & Self-Care ”, targeting university employees especially the dormitory supervisors.

The workshop was held at the University Convention Center (UNCC) and was organized by the Psycho-Social Counseling and Student Services Center, reflecting UOD’s strategic emphasis on fostering a healthy, supportive, and productive academic work environment.

The event opened with a welcoming address by Dr. Dilveen Miqdad Ahmed, Director of the Center, who highlighted the University’s commitment to integrating psychological well-being into its institutional culture.

This was followed by an introductory presentation by Ms. Lilan Mohammed Salih, Head of the Information Unit at the Center, who outlined the Center’s structure, services, and outreach programs offered to students, academic staff, and administrative cadres.

The scientific component of the workshop featured Dr. Yousif Ali Yassin, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapist, who delivered an in-depth lecture on psychological stress. He addressed the definition, components, and types of stress, explaining its short- and long-term effects on the human body and mind, including cognitive processes, emotions, behavior, and conscience. He emphasized that chronic work stress can lead to serious health issues due to the excessive secretion of cortisol, negatively affecting physical health, mental stability, and workplace performance.

In a complementary session, Ms. Suzan Mohammed Hassan, psychotherapist at the Center, presented practical strategies for managing daily stress. Her talk focused on holistic self-care approaches, covering psychological, spiritual, physical, emotional, and personal well-being, and highlighted the importance of balance and resilience in maintaining professional effectiveness.

The workshop also addressed the social dimensions of work stress, presented by Dr. Sumaya Saeed Khalid, an academic member at the College of Humanities. She identified the family, workplace, and broader social environment as primary sources of stress, emphasizing prevention through goal setting, self-awareness, healthy social adaptation, and continuous self-care, all of which contribute to sustainable stress management.

The well-being framework views self-care as a balanced process spanning three interconnected dimensions: mind, body, and spirit. Presented by Miss Barin Mousa Sulaiman, Head of the Social Unit at the center, the framework highlights physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual self-care as key pillars for achieving holistic well-being and maintaining long-term effectiveness.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers and share experiences.
In recognition of their contributions, Dr. Nabaz Ibraheem Mohammed, the Vice President of the University for Student Affairs, presented certificates of appreciation to Dr. Sumaya Saeed Khalid and Dr. Yousif Ali Yassin.

This workshop aligns with the University of Duhok’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes human capital development, mental health support, and the creation of a healthy academic and administrative ecosystem that enhances institutional performance and employee satisfaction.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

University Press Office, January 29, 2026
Reported by: Rondik Fadhil Adil
Photography by: Mohammed A. Tahar

The News Keywords:

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