Amidst today’s growing uncertainty and turbulence, Antonine University (UA) has demonstrated its dedication to fostering an environment that supports the holistic development of its community. The University has launched a pioneering initiative in the Lebanese academic scene with the goal of building a healthy, inclusive, caring, and supportive community. Through this unique and innovative multidimensional wellness framework, UA aims to help its faculty members, staff, and students, as well as the general public, set and achieve their goals while continuously improving themselves. This initiative provides personal growth seekers with a tangible experience and offers them a path toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Against this backdrop, UA is honored to have received the patronage of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health for the third edition of the Wellness and Mental Health Week, organized by the Vice Rectorate for Integral Human Development (VRIHD) under the theme Turn Your Ill-being Into Well-being. This week-long event included an Official Ceremony live-streamed on UA’s Facebook page, which took place on Tuesday, April 25, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and was graced by the appearance of honorable guests, including Dr. Joseph El Helou, Director of the Medical Care Directorate at the Ministry of Public Health and representative of the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firass Abiad, in the presence of the Rector, Fr. Michel Jalakh; the Secretary General and Vice Rector for Administration, Fr. Ziad Maatouk; and the Vice Rector for Integral Human Development, Fr. Jean Al Alam, from UA. The ceremony also featured 3 renowned experts from the fields of education, health, and psychology: Dr. Imad Hoballah, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Business Investments and Development Strategies (BIDS) and Former Lebanese Minister of Industry; Dr. Marie Khoury, Clinical Psychologist, EMDR European Accredited Psychotherapist, AFTCC Member, and University Instructor; and Dr. Maroun El Khoury, Medical Director of DiagnosTechs Inc., Clinical Researcher, and Worldwide Lecturer. Furthermore, the UA community, namely deans, heads of departments, chairpersons, instructors, employees, and students, as well as external participants, were all pleased to attend the event and share this moment.

During his speech, Fr. Jalakh emphasized the need to address the impact of crises on the psychological health of students, recognizing that university education is not solely about academic achievement, but also about the holistic development of students. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the human dimension and mental health in the university education system, which can create a conducive environment for students to overcome the challenges posed by these crises and unleash their full potential. As Fr. Jalakh stated, “We, at Antonine University, realize the importance of promoting a culture of psychological comfort, not only for our students, but for the wider community as well.” To this end, the University is offering lectures and workshops that are open to all university students and individuals in Lebanon who seek to preserve their mental health and personal balance.

After the Rector’s welcome address, Dr. El Helou delivered a speech advocating the promotion of a culture of psychological comfort at UA, by organizing a mental health week, which is being held for the third time at the University, stressing the Ministry of Public Health’s support for such initiatives. Additionally, he revealed that the Ministry has begun to cover the expenses of mental health treatment in hospitals. Dr. El Helou acknowledged that the primary issue in Lebanon is political, and that resolving political matters could have a ripple effect on resolving economic and health-related issues.

Following the speeches, the attendees watched a brief video featuring accounts from UA students who had received assistance from the University’s Counseling Service. The video showcased the positive impact of the free Counseling Service at UA on the psychological well-being of students and the testimonies highlighted how the Counselor helped them overcome personal challenges and provided them with emotional support during difficult times. The purpose of this video was to raise awareness of the availability of this service to all students and encourage those who may be struggling to seek help from a service that aims to promote a culture of psychological comfort and well-being among its community.

The Official Ceremony also included 3 lectures, starting with Positive Mindsets: Pathways to Mental Health and Well-being in Education given by Dr. Imad Hoballah, in which he emphasized the importance of growth mentality and innovators’ mindset in promoting well-being and improved mental health. He also explained the underlying principles of Autonomy, Belonging, and Competence (ABC) in achieving motivation and finding meaning in one’s education, work, and life, in an effort to provide students, educators, and administrators with the necessary tools to adjust their mindsets and optimize productivity and creativity in their daily lives, particularly in education.
On the other hand, Dr. Marie Khoury delivered a session titled Turning Your Ill-being Into Well-being: Utopia or Reality? discussing the mental health crisis worldwide, with a significant increase in cases of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks among university students after the COVID-19 pandemic. She also pointed out the increase of suicide attempts and hospitalizations due to psychological disorders. Despite this reality, the workshop claimed that neuroscience and neuropsychology have proven that we possess the power to restructure our brains and promote well-being.
Last but not least, Dr. Maroun El Khoury took the stage to tackle the subject Supplements for Mental Health and Wellness: A Dual Perspective on Their Benefits and Drawbacks. This workshop aimed to provide information about supplements and their benefits, as well as their potential side effects. It covered topics such as why supplements are prescribed, whether they require physician supervision, and their role in medicinal sports and athletic performance. The presentation also discussed the manufacturing of supplements and the dosages of medication. Furthermore, the workshop highlighted the risks of supplement abuse, including immunogenic or allergenic reactions, gastrointestinal discomfort, migraine headaches, cerebrovascular problems, and the instigation of autoimmune diseases.

This week included several workshops on managing anxiety, facing fear, self-care, spiritual development, and more, held both on campus and virtually, and hosted by an esteemed group of experts from Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Lebanon. Through these sessions, participants received essential tools and insights to promote their mental health, build their resilience, and enhance their overall well-being.

The Wellness and Mental Health Week ended with a day dedicated to youth organized in collaboration with the Faculty of Sport Sciences and the Office of Athletics and comprising a wide range of activities in an objective to harness the potential of sports in enhancing the holistic well-being of young adults, including their mental, physical, and social dimensions. These exhilarating pursuits did not only offer a fun-filled experience, but also provided the participants with an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the importance of safeguarding their mental health while relishing the serene surroundings of the UA campus.