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Making Mental Health Education a Priority in Schools and the Community
Salam Alaikom - Hello
Welcome
The mission of the Mental Health Awareness Association has always been to raise public awareness of mental health, particularly among young people. Starting in September 2022, our association has focused on bringing our Mental Health Awareness and Life Skills Program directly to schools.
MHA Celebrates Five Years of Advancing Mental Health Awareness and Supporting Students
The mission of Mental Health Awareness Association, Meknes has
always been to raise public awareness of mental health, particularly among young
people. Starting September 2022, our association has focused on bringing our
Mental Health Awareness and Life Skills Program (MHALS Program) directly to
students in several Meknes-area schools as well as in a few rural area schools.
As we begin on the third year of our awareness program, I am reminded of how truly
unique our association remains in Morocco. After searching through available
resources, I have not found another organization as dedicated to promoting
students' mental health as the Mental Health Awareness Association, Meknes.
The success of our year-long program in promoting mental health in schools comes
from our team of dedicated volunteer members and the many mental health
specialists who provide our extensive training.
We continue to provide excellent training opportunities for current members to
expand their knowledge and experience. New members will also benefit significantly,
learning not only how to help others understand mental health but also gaining
deeper self-awareness. Additionally, working as part of a team with a shared
purpose has multiple advantages: it boosts motivation, offers mutual support and
encouragement, improves communication, facilitates learning from one another, and
fosters a strong sense of unity among members.
Our team is exceptional and will significantly help students overcome their
challenges. It is crucial to act now to prevent an increase in mental health conditions,
especially in light of the available statistical data. "Official figures from the Economic,
Social, and Environmental Council show that 48.9% of Moroccans have experienced
psychological disorders. Of this percentage, around 25% experience depression and
anxiety, while a smaller percentage have psychotic disorders such as hallucinations.”
https://en.hespress.com/72606-72606.html
About the Mental Health Awareness Association (MHA): The MHA is dedicated to improving the well-being of young people through direct engagement, psychoeducation, and life skills development within schools in the Meknes area.
Prioritizing Mental Health in Schools
Through direct, in-classroom presentations, our team has been instrumental in raising awareness and supporting students in addressing their challenges. While such challenges are a natural part of life, they can sometimes develop into depression or anxiety, causing significant pain and hardship for students and their families. Given the high prevalence of mental health conditions in Morocco, many students face difficult and often overwhelming situations.
Between November 2025 and May 2026, we have:
> Connected with 3236 students at 4 high schools and 2 middle schools.
> Conducted 114 school presentations and activities.
> Held 200 individual student listening sessions.
Psychology Internship Opportunities, September 2026
Mental Health Awareness Training Starts 12 September
The success of our year-long school program is driven by the commitment of our dedicated volunteers and mental health specialists. Professional training remains the foundation of our work, and we are fortunate to offer high-quality learning opportunities led by experienced mental health professionals who guide our training courses. This marks our fourth year collaborating with these outstanding experts.
For current members, the training deepens their knowledge and practical experience, while new members gain valuable skills to help others better understand mental health and develop greater self-awareness.
Becoming part of our team to promote mental health awareness among students not only delivers vital support to those in need but also brings meaningful personal rewards to our members, such as a sense of fulfillment, stronger relationships, personal growth, increased empathy, and the satisfaction of making a positive impact in our community.
While these benefits are significant, much work remains to advance mental health awareness across Moroccan society, particularly in securing its prioritization within government and educational institutions. To meet these challenges, it is essential that we continue to strengthen both our organization and ourselves.
We understand the struggles many students face—whether it's challenges within the school system, difficulties at home, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Everyone needs someone who can offer support; sometimes, it’s as simple as listening without judgment. Our team provides a valuable opportunity for students to seek and find that support, which can lead to improved well-being and greater academic success. I invite you to join us and make a positive difference in the lives of young people.
** Mental Health Awareness and Life Skills Professional Training Fee is 500 DH **
2026 Impact
Mental Health Awareness and Life Skills Program for middle and high schools
This year, we successfully completed our Mental Health Awareness and Life Skills Program for middle and high schools. We’re proud of the impact we made in raising awareness about mental health issues and teaching essential life skills. We reached 3236 students through 114 classroom activities and 200 student listening sessions. Thank you to everyone who participated in presentations, listening sessions, or helped grow our association. You all did an amazing job!
Transform Your Life with Mental Health Awareness Association
Supporting Associations in Meknes
It's always a pleasure to support other associations like the Diabetes Association for Children, which is making a great effort to provide important information to kids and their families.
Thanks to Saida Tekal, president of the Diabetes Association for Children, for organizing today's fun activities at the Anassi Cultural Center. The kids and the parents had a great time celebrating this month, World Diabetes Day, Green March and Independence Day!
Mental Health Awareness Association of Meknes News
المهارات الحياتية مهمة للمراهقين .. وللكبار!
31 December 2022
تعلم جميعًا ونتطور طوال حياتنا من خلال التفاعل مع الآباء والعائلة والأصدقاء وبالطبع مجتمعنا. تعتبر المهارات الحياتية من أهم مجموعات القدرات المطلوبة. من الضروري تعليم المراهقين المهارات الحياتية بما في ذلك الوعي الذاتي والتواصل وإدارة الوقت واتخاذ القرار والتفكير النقدي من أجل تعزيز حياة أكثر سعادة وصحة وصحة نفسية عامة. على الرغم من أن هذه المهارات مهمة لتعلم المراهقة ، إلا أن هذه المهارات مفيدة للأشخاص من جميع الأعمار. سمير زوال وطلبة كلية الداخلة حصة المهارات الحياتية.
Training is essential to being able to deliver accurate information on mental illnesses.
26 February 2022
Our 5th and last session of Mental Health First Aid training lead by Dr. Mohsine Yassari.
Topics included:
• Panic attacks
• Suicide statistics
• First aid for suicidal crisis
• Alcohol, drugs and mental health
• Self-care
Dr. Yassari, it's a pleasure to work with you on this important initiative, to help improve public awareness of mental health. I, as well as the members of the Mental Health Awareness Association and the Association marocaine de lutte contre le tabagisme et les drogues, appreciate your time and effort. There's no doubt that the knowledge and expertise you offered at these training sessions will assist our members in improving mental health awareness in our community. We look forward to working with you again.
What do we mean by non-judgmental listening?
19 March 19, 2022
listenersNon-judgmental listening is about trying to really understand the other person. It is about going beyond just hearing the words spoken and involves understanding exactly what the other person is saying. As the listener, we should put our own views aside and try not to get distracted by our personal thoughts and feelings. It is also not always appropriate to react to what the other person is saying; we should continue to listen and respect them. Our aim is not to judge or criticize the other person, but to simply listen to and receive what they are saying. (https://hsrpsychology.co.uk/blog/non-judgemental-listening-how-and-why/) Special thanks to Coach Fatima Zahara Ben Moussa for two excellent sessions on listening skills, body language, and other useful techniques that will help us succeed in raising mental health awareness.
Coach Fatima Zahara Ben Moussa's training is part of our overall goal of learning and delivering the most up-to-date mental health information to the people of Meknes. Coach ben Moussa - Certified Trainer in Global Academy for Training and Development, مدربة معتمدة من الأكاديمية العالمية البريطانية للتدريب والتطوير, عضو مؤسس للرابطة المغربية للتنمية الذاتية https://www.facebook.com/fatimazahra.benmoussa.52
Collaborations with other associations are still an important part of our success. It is quite helpful to have your facilities available for our training. Thank you… Association marocaine de lute contre le tabagisme et la drogue, Addiction Center in Sidi Said And Association Ismailia Al Kobra, Center Social de Prise en Charge des Infants Handicapes Mentaux, in the Marjane 2 area.
Dr. Mohsine Yassari, our guest mental health specialist, led our fourth training session.
Dr. Mohsine Yassari, our guest mental health specialist, led our fourth training session. Dr. Yassari gave an excellent introduction to psychosis, including risk factors, warning signs, and first aid for acute psychosis. Other topics covered include schizophrenia, bipolar disease, cognitive analytic therapy, and psychosis treatment. Every session ends with me being reminded of the importance of the collaborative efforts between the Association Marocaine de Lutte contre le Tabagisme et la Drogue, the Mental Health Awareness Association of Meknes, and, of course, the mental health professionals that participated in this program. Collaborations like these, as well as the ideas that emerge from them, will have the greatest impact on the community. Not only by increasing mental health awareness and improving well-being, but also by assisting people in finding solutions to their mental health conditions and suffering.
Partnerships has proven to be a valuable resource in our efforts to raise awareness.
The third session of our Mental Health Awareness First Aid Training focused on tobacco addiction and its connection to mental health conditions. Dr. Benjelloun's talk also covered the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of tobacco addiction, as well as the history and culture of tobacco addiction.
The collaboration between the Association marocaine de lette contre le tabagisme et la drogue and our organization, Mental Health Awareness, Meknes, has proven to be a valuable resource in our efforts to raise awareness among our members and, more importantly, to share this information with the general public.
Many thanks to Dr. Benjelloun and the Association marocaine de lette contre le tabagisme et la drogue.
Our second training session was as interesting and motivating as the first!
Our second training session was as interesting and motivating as the first! Special thanks to Yousra Ibn Tattou, a psychologist who presented an excellent talk on depression and associated topics.
The Mental Health Awareness Association of Meknes initiated this program in order for our members gain a better understanding of mental illnesses. After our program's completion and additional training, our members will be able to deliver important information to the public on various mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Thank you, to our partners, the Association marocaine de lute contre le tabagisme et la drogue, for assisting us with the completion of today's training program, which will benefit both our association members.
Our first of five training sessions was a huge success!
Our first of five training sessions was a huge success on Saturday, January 8th. The training program was created exclusively for members of the Mental Health Association of Meknes, who would be able to deliver essential mental health awareness information to the general public after completing it.
Ihsane Mamou, Psychologue Clinicienne, deserves special recognition for her excellent presentation on anxiety.
The Mental Health Awareness Association of Meknes is excited to collaborate with the Association marocaine de lute contre le tabagisme et la drogue. This partnership demonstrates that collaborating with other organizations and institutions (a multidisciplinary approach) has a greater impact on providing important information to individuals and families suffering from a mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, or a drug addiction. With this information, people will be able to make decisions about how to care for themselves or their loved ones.
Helping you and our community
Our association is committed to providing support and information to the public about mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Additionally, one of our main goals is to collaborate with local organizations, mental health professionals, and institutions to assist individuals and families in finding relief from their suffering and promote a happier, healthier life.
Mental Illnesses Can happen to anyone, at any age, anywhere
A mental illness can make you miserable and cause problems in your daily life, such as at school, work, or in relationships. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
Study: 40% of the Moroccan population suffers from a mental disorder
Feb 18, 2019 By: Mostafa EL HALIL, Pharmapresse.net
Mental disorders represent a real public health problem in Morocco. According to a study by the Ministry of Health, 48% of the Moroccan population suffers from mental disorders and only 197 psychiatrists, 5 child psychiatrists and 1,069 nurses, very few compared to the world average. According to this study, 48% of Moroccans suffer from psychological problems, or about one in two Moroccans. These alarming figures come from a report by the Ministry of Health on the rate of people with mental disorders in the country.The study highlighted the shortage of psychiatrists in the public sector in Morocco, an average of 0.63 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants. Whereas the world average is 3.66 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants.This survey showed that one in four Moroccans suffered from depression and that 2% of citizens had symptoms of panic disorder and that a million Moroccans suffered from social phobia.The survey also showed that 2.7 million Moroccans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, 1.8 million from obsessive-compulsive disorder and 3.4% from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). [3]
What is mental health?
Everyone's mental health varies during their life.
Mental health exists on a broad continuum or range, from positive healthy functioning at one end, through to severe symptoms or conditions that impact on everyday life and activities at the other. Your mental health is not fixed or static, but moves back and forth on your own personal range in response to different stressors.
Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination
For people with mental health issues, the social stigma and discrimination they experience can make their problems worse, making it harder to recover. It may cause the person to avoid getting the help they need because of the fear of being stigmatized.
Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of a particular characteristic or attribute (such as skin color, cultural background, a disability or a mental illness). When someone treats you in a negative way because of your mental illness, this is discrimination.
Stigma happens when a person defines someone by their illness rather than who they are as an individual. For example, they might be labelled ‘psychotic’ rather than ‘a person experiencing psychosis’.