The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and Maudsley International have signed an agreement in the field of mental health. 
Under the agreement, Maudsley International shall provide specialised expertise to support the successful implementation of Qatar National Mental Health Strategy 2013-2018.
HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, and Tracy Power, executive director of Maudsley International, signed the agreement  recently.
“MOPH is always keen to promote fruitful partnerships with internationally recognised and high profile institutions for the exchange of world-class specialised expertise in the field of healthcare and the efficient implementation of health strategies, programmes and projects,” Dr al-Kuwari said. 
She underlined that the partnership with Maudsley International shall favourably contribute in providing the best mental health and welfare services to the people of the country through an integrated mental health system.
Power said,“This partnership offers valuable learning and awareness opportunities in the field of mental health in Qatar as well as in the region and indeed across the world at large.” 
Maudsley International will work in partnership with the MOPH to support the development of mental health programmes in schools, and provide expertise to support the development of anti-stigma campaigns to raise public awareness about mental health and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Maudsley International will also develop a national mental health research agenda, working with key stakeholders in Qatar and  identifying priority research programmes. 
This will provide a co-ordinated multi-sectorial approach to mental health policy development and planning and ensure that mental health research evidence translates into improvements in clinical practice and patient outcomes.
Maudsley International will also design and deliver mental health awareness training programmes for a range of health professionals. This will support one of the key national goals of providing mental health training to all health professionals by March 2017 and contributing to the development of a sustainable, high-quality workforce in mental health. 
Susan Clelland, acting executive director of the National Mental Health Programme at the MOPH said, “Building on the achievements of key strategy partners, this agreement is an important step in delivering the next phase of the National Mental Health Strategy. The mental health expertise provided by Maudsley International will provide additional support to facilitate the mental health agenda in Qatar.”