Governance and Leadership
SDG 3: Focus Areas
3.3.7 Mental health support for staff
Enhancing Mental Health and Well-Being for University Members at the University of Bahrain
Overview
The University of Bahrain actively promotes mental health, well-being, and a healthy lifestyle among its staff, students, and wider university community. Through awareness events, mental health–focused workshops, and capacity-building training programs, the university supports individuals in developing essential skills in stress management, emotional resilience, and occupational health.
These initiatives reflect the University of Bahrain’s commitment to preventive care, safety awareness, and creating a supportive campus environment where academic and administrative staff can enhance their personal and professional well-being.
Impact (2023–2024)
- Between 2023 and 2024, the University of Bahrain delivered a wide range of activities accessible to all university members, including:
- Mental health and well-being workshops focusing on psychological balance, stress reduction, positive thinking, and emotional regulation.
- Skill-building training courses by UTEL, such as:
- Time Management Strategies
- Better Invest in Your Time
- Productivity and self-organization skills
University-wide awareness events such as Mental Health Day, promoting mental health literacy, safety awareness, and the importance of adopting healthy habits.
Workshops addressing communication, self-awareness, personal development, and psychological calmness, contributing to improved occupational health for staff.
These programs strengthened the university’s preventive approach to well-being, encouraged engagement in healthy practices, and supported staff and students in maintaining balance, mental clarity, and physical fitness.
Key Initiatives:
- Mental Health and Well-Being Workshops: Sessions addressed mindfulness techniques, stress management, positive thinking, and maintaining psychological balance in both academic and workplace settings.
- Unit for Teaching Excellence and Leadership (UTEL), Professional Development Courses: UTEL offered training programs that directly support SDG 3 through improved time management, productivity, healthier routines, and reduced stress associated with workload pressures.
- Communication and Personality Development Sessions: These programs helped university members build stronger interpersonal relationships, enhance self-awareness, and promote positive workplace engagement.
- Mental Health Awareness Events: Activities such as World Mental Health Day encouraged open discussions about well-being and helped strengthen a culture of safety awareness and early recognition of mental health challenges.
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Mental Health and Well-Being Workshops at the University of Bahrain
Overview
The University of Bahrain, through the Deanship of Student Affairs and various colleges, organized a series of workshops focused on promoting students’ mental health, emotional resilience, and personal growth. These workshops addressed communication, stress management, psychological balance, and self-awareness, reflecting the university’s commitment to preventive mental health care and student well-being. All workshops are free and available for faculty and staff members across the university community.
Mental Health related Workshops
- Communication Skills
The Communication Skills workshop aimed to educate students on social communication concepts, helping them organize their lives and develop positive skills for navigating life events. Held in the Electronic Learning Center, the session covered techniques for effectively using social media, highlighting its positive aspects, such as connectivity and access to information, while also discussing potential drawbacks like misinformation and mental health impacts.
- Personal Development and Resilience
This workshop focused on enhancing students' life skills by addressing personality differences and their influence on success. Also conducted in the Electronic Learning Center, key topics included understanding different personality types and interaction strategies, refining character, building resilience, and addressing bullying. Participants learned techniques to strengthen personal identity and enhance self-confidence.
- Understanding Stress and Panic Attacks
Organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs and the College of Health and Sport Sciences, this series of workshops aimed to help students manage stress and reduce panic attacks on the Salmaniya and Sakhir campuses. The sessions introduced evidence-based techniques such as mindfulness and breathing exercises, fostering awareness and resilience while emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support from counseling services.
- Psychological Calmness and Positive Thinking
Focusing on psychological calmness, this workshop emphasized its positive impact on individual and community well-being. Held in the Peace Hall at the College of Business Administration, the session covered positive thinking patterns and the importance of emotional management, providing techniques for enhancing mental health and achieving psychological balance.
- Time Management Skills Event
The Time Management Skills workshop engaged students in discussions about their experiences with time management. Conducted at the Zain Electronic Learning Center, it included essential skills for organizing and prioritizing tasks, the impact of effective time management on academic performance, and methods to alleviate anxiety and stress associated with poor time management practices.
Impact
The workshops—Communication Skills, Personal Development and Resilience, Understanding Stress and Panic Attacks, and Psychological Calmness and Positive Thinking—empowered students with practical tools for managing stress, enhancing self-confidence, fostering positive thinking, and building healthy communication habits.
Mental Health: Stress Reduction Strategies
The Nursing Department at the College of Health Sciences and Sport (CHSS) advanced the university’s institutional commitment to staff and student wellbeing through the Mental Health Awareness Station, an initiative designed to strengthen mental health support services across the campus community. This program provided accessible psychological support, preventive wellbeing resources, and structured stress-management activities for faculty, staff, and students.
The station delivered capacity-building workshops, mindfulness exercises, and peer-support tools that promoted resilience, emotional regulation, and evidence-based coping strategies.
By fostering open dialogue on mental health and creating a supportive, inclusive environment, CHSS enhanced access to early intervention and improved the responsiveness of mental health care within the university.
Through this initiative, the college reinforced a proactive approach to mental health promotion and strengthened institutional systems that empower individuals to manage stress, maintain wellbeing, and thrive academically and professionally. The program contributed to a healthier, safer, and more supportive campus climate aligned with international best practices in mental health and staff support.
Understanding Bullying and Violence at Work: Towards a Culture of Respect
The College of Health Sciences and Sport (CHSS) strengthened its institutional commitment to staff wellbeing and a safe work environment through the workshop “Understanding Bullying and Violence at Work: Towards a Culture of Respect,” presented by Mrs. Fatima Abdulla. This session provided essential awareness and practical guidance on recognizing, preventing, and addressing workplace bullying and violence, ensuring that faculty and staff have access to supportive, responsive, and psychologically safe mechanisms.
The workshop delivered evidence-based strategies to promote respectful communication, conflict resolution, and early reporting, while encouraging open dialogue on workplace wellbeing. Participants engaged in interactive discussions and scenario-based learning designed to build resilience, strengthen professional conduct, and enhance a culture of inclusion and mutual respect. The workshop has been delivered consistently in each academic year.
By offering this training, CHSS advanced its institutional systems for psychological support, preventive wellbeing services, and staff protection. The initiative contributed to a healthier and more supportive work environment, empowering staff to identify harmful behaviors, seek assistance, and uphold a workplace culture grounded in dignity, safety, and professional integrity. This aligns with international best practices in staff wellbeing and mental health promotion.
Mental Health Day: Hand in Hand Towards Safe Mental Health
On October 17, 2024, the Deanship of Student Affairs at the University of Bahrain (UoB) organized an event titled “Hand in Hand Towards Safe Mental Health” to commemorate World Mental Health Day.
Held at the College of Business Administration, the event featured lectures, exhibitions, and workshops aimed at increasing awareness and promoting mental well-being across the university community. All activities held during this event were free and open to all faculty members, staff, and students at the University of Bahrain.
Speakers included Dr. Fatima Al-Maliki, Dean of Student Affairs; Dr. Sameera Al-Bastaki, Director of the Guidance and Counseling Department; and experts in psychology and sports health. Discussions addressed psychological balance, recognizing signs of mental disorders, and integrating physical activity into mental wellness.
Impact
The event provided a safe and inclusive platform for university members to learn about mental health, participate in well-being activities, and engage in open dialogue about emotional and psychological wellness. By ensuring free access for faculty, staff, and students, the initiative strengthened community engagement and promoted shared responsibility toward mental well-being.
Through collaboration between the Deanship of Student Affairs and the Guidance and Counseling Department, the initiative reinforced a culture of mental health awareness and enhanced preventive well-being practices across campus.
Mental Health Day Celebration
“Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority”
The College of Health Sciences and Sport (CHSS) strengthened its institutional commitment to mental health and wellbeing through the Mental Health Day Celebration held under the theme “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.” This initiative provided comprehensive support services for students and staff by offering accessible psychological guidance, counseling, and preventive wellbeing activities. The event featured capacity-building workshops, resilience-focused stations, and awareness sessions that promoted healthy lifestyles, emotional regulation, and practical coping strategies. Through this celebration, CHSS reinforced a proactive approach to mental health promotion and fostered a safe, supportive, and inclusive campus environment aligned with international best practices.
The activity provided crucial mental health support for both students and staff (3.3.5 & 3.3.7) through four interactive stations. It equipped participants with practical, non-pharmacological coping mechanisms to build resilience and manage stress, thereby reducing vulnerability to mental health challenges. For instance, the Relaxation Techniques station taught deep breathing and meditation as sustainable tools for handling academic and work pressures, while the Healthy Lifestyle station emphasized how proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise are foundational to mental wellness. Furthermore, the Self-Compassion and Spiritual Wellness stations provided strategies to enhance emotional regulation, foster a sense of purpose, and build psychological strength, creating a more supportive and mentally healthy campus environment.
Enhancing Mental Health and Counseling at the University of Bahrain
Overview
The University of Bahrain actively promotes mental health and well-being through its Department of Guidance and Counseling. The department provides comprehensive psychological, social, and behavioral support services to students, helping them manage stress, enhance academic performance, and build emotional resilience. Through specialized counseling sessions, educational seminars, and awareness programs, the university fosters a supportive and inclusive campus environment that prioritizes students’ mental health.
Impact
Between 2023 and 2024, the university delivered 135 psychological consultations, four workshops on mental health skills, one group support program, and a Mental Health Day event. These initiatives strengthened preventive mental health care, raised awareness of psychological well-being, and aligned with SDG 3.3.5, which focuses on promoting mental health and reducing the impact of behavioral and psychosocial disorders.
