In celebration of International Women’s Day, CIFAL Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Social Responsibility Observatory at Majmaah University, organized a dialogue session titled “The Role of Women in Promoting Community Mental Health During Times of Crisis.” The session was held virtually, with the participation of a distinguished group of academics and interested stakeholders. It featured Dr. Nouf bint Rashdan Al-Mutairi, Associate Professor of Special Education, and was moderated by Dr. Abeer bint Hejab Alotaibi, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics.
Dr. Nouf Al-Mutairi emphasized in her remarks that promoting mental health during times of crisis is a fundamental pillar for societal stability. She noted that women play a pivotal role in supporting and strengthening family cohesion, which in turn positively impacts society as a whole. She added that women possess the capacity to provide psychological and social support under various circumstances, whether through their educational role within the family or their active participation in community initiatives.
She further highlighted that crises ,whether health-related, economic, or social , require collective efforts, underscoring the importance of empowering women and enhancing their skills in coping with psychological stress and promoting a culture of mental health support. She affirmed that investing in awareness and psychological rehabilitation programs contributes to building a more conscious and resilient society capable of facing challenges.
Dr. Al-Mutairi also explained that promoting mental health is not limited to specialists; rather, it is a shared societal responsibility involving families, educational institutions, and community organizations, with women playing a leading role in fostering reassurance and strengthening social cohesion.
For her part, Dr. Abeer Alotaibi stated that this session comes as part of the joint efforts between CIFAL Saudi Arabia and the Social Responsibility Observatory at Majmaah University to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to highlight the role of women in supporting society during crises, in addition to supporting initiatives that contribute to social stability.
It is worth noting that this event was held as part of the activities of International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, in recognition of women’s roles and contributions across various fields, and to promote their empowerment and active participation in sustainable development
