Expert seeks to set up psychology society

Expert seeks to set up psychology society
By LAMA SALEH
A BAHRAIN psychologist is calling for the setting up of the country's first society aimed at improving the standards and work conditions in the psychology field.

Mohammed Talaat Mohammed Abdul Aziz, who is also a business consultant at a local company, says there are about 1,000 psychologists in the private and public sectors in Bahrain who will benefit from various programmes aimed at keeping pace with global developments.

However, Mr Abdul Aziz says that at least 300 professionals need to sign for the setting up of the society to be recognised by the Social Development Ministry.

"The society will also be targeting several social problems and groups, including providing psychological, social and emotional support for divorced women, widows, retired individuals, and children whom have been physically and sexually abused," said Mr Abdul Aziz, who hails from Egypt.

"This society will direct its attention to issues that are not dealt with by the ministry, but its activities will be carried out in co-ordination with it."

He said that the society's activities would also be co-ordinated with the Health Ministry.

US and European models of such societies will be followed to enable Bahrain to provide more services and methods required to tackle social problems, said Mr Abdul Aziz.

"Researches will be conducted on the Bahraini population about problems they face in order to highlight the issues, and propose different solutions," he said.

Mr Abdul Aziz hopes the society's projects and activities will be financed through donations and memberships.

"The projects will include establishing a school for psychology that offers courses based on a western curriculum to get different ideas and improvements to psychological studies in Bahrain," he said. Mr Abdul Aziz urged all psychologists to co-ordinate their efforts to co-ordinate efforts in the setting up of the society that would increase psychological awareness based on international standards. For more information, contact Mr Abdul Aziz on 39710871.