Doha, Qatar: The inaugural Community Virtual Wellness Training, hosted by Gulf Good Vibes in partnership with the Workers Support and Insurance Fund, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), and other stakeholders, recently took place.
This event, themed, “Stronger Together: Managing Stress and Promoting Well-Being,” represented a significant advancement in raising awareness about mental health and fostering peer support across various sectors in Qatar.
A key feature of the event was the official introduction of the Peer Support Wellness Buddy Programme, led by Kholoud Al Kubaisi, Executive Director of the Workers Support and Insurance Fund. In her opening address, Al Kubaisi highlighted the programme’s critical role in enhancing mental well-being among Qatar’s diverse workforce.
This initiative, carried out under the auspices of the Workers Support and Insurance Fund in collaboration with the ILO, Gulf Good Vibes, and other partners, seeks to train ‘Wellness Buddies’ who will provide emotional support and direct their peers to mental health resources.
The programme aims to encourage early intervention, diminish the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and empower workers across various sectors to cultivate resilience and support one another. The virtual event drew over 80 attendees from diverse sectors, including health and wellness professionals; aviation, construction, and domestic workers; mental health volunteers; education and transport professionals; and community leaders.
The event honoured key community leaders and professionals who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to mental health and peer support initiatives:
The Peer Support Wellness Buddy Programme’s first cohort — made up of a diverse group of community leaders and professionals — is set to undergo specialised training. This marks a significant step towards creating sustainable, community-led mental health support systems in Qatar.
