10 September Declared National Day for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness
Dr. Josyan Madi-Skaff, a psychiatrist and member of Lebanon’s National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, participated in an official ceremony at the Grand Serail marking the designation of 10 September each year as the National Day for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, represented by Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nassereddine. It was organised by the Ministry of Public Health, through the National Mental Health Programme, in partnership with Embrace and ABAAD.
Dr. Madi-Skaff delivered an intervention entitled “Reflections on Lebanon’s Mental Health Journey,” in which she reviewed key milestones in the development of mental healthcare in Lebanon over recent decades, drawing on her experience as a psychiatrist and her work in human rights and the prevention of torture and ill-treatment.
She stressed that a human rights-based approach is not an optional addition to mental health services, but an integral component of professional practice and quality care. She underscored the need to safeguard the dignity of people receiving mental health services, respect their autonomy and will, and uphold their right to participate in decisions concerning their treatment.
Dr. Madi-Skaff also highlighted the human rights risks that some mental health service users may face, particularly in cases of involuntary hospitalisation, physical restraint, isolation or forced treatment. She emphasised that such measures must be subject to strict legal and professional safeguards to prevent arbitrary use and ensure effective oversight, accountability and access to complaint mechanisms and remedies.
Her participation was particularly significant given the mandate of the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, to protect the rights of persons deprived of their liberty and monitor places of detention. This mandate encompasses psychiatric institutions and hospitals where individuals may be prevented from leaving of their own free will.
Participants affirmed that suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health are shared national responsibilities requiring accessible, community-based services, reduced stigma, stronger early detection and access to care, and the meaningful participation of people with lived experience in policymaking and service design.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Minister Nassereddine stressed that mental health is not a luxury that can be postponed until calmer times, but a fundamental pillar of society’s resilience, recovery and reconstruction. He noted that investment in mental health positively affects healthcare, education, economic development and social stability.
World Health Organization Representative in Lebanon Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar affirmed that suicide can be prevented and called for evidence-based interventions and stronger multisectoral cooperation. ABAAD founder and director Ghida Anani and Embrace co-founder and president Mia Atwi also highlighted the importance of integrating protection and psychological support, strengthening partnerships between the state and civil society, and further developing the National Lifeline 1564.
The ceremony concluded with the official designation of 10 September as the National Day for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness, reinforcing Lebanon’s commitment to developing a mental health system grounded in human rights and human dignity.
Anyone seeking psychological support or assistance with suicide prevention may call the National Lifeline at 1564, free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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