THE BEGINNING

Kuwait is a small country of only two million people, but with an unusual mental health program designed to provide easily accessible services. The Social Development Office (SDO) was established as a response to Iraq’s military invasion on 22 August 1990. Kuwait was ruled as Iraq’s nineteenth province until its liberation at the end of February 1991. The Social Development Office, popularly known as the SDO, was established in 1992 under the Amiri Decree # 63/1992, and auspices of His Highness, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to promote national mental health and welfare of the State of Kuwait, and to support the psychological rehabilitation of a society which had experienced the shocks of sudden war, violence, occupation, and personal loss. It was recognized that there were many war-related post-traumatic stress disorders in the population, and that the country did not have enough professionals to help those affected. This unique institution happens to be the first among the developing nations in the Middle East & Asia.

The period of invasion was destructive and left scars on the psychological and social development of the individuals, among others. The aim to wipe out the negative traces acted as a reinforcement for the SDO and it started moving towards achieving its goal of healing the wounds that are so often not seen but, surely felt. Case of PTSD among Kuwaiti citizens had always existed but, it was never recognized by the victim or the victim’s family. Hence, not much importance was given to this aspect of mental health. Also, in the past, Kuwait had limited means of treating PTSD and other related cases. Even the hospitals that housed the patients had limited resources. Another drawback was the fact that the people did not really accept this treatment. Later, in 1955, progress was made and better hospitals were built, unlimited resources were provided and better and newer ways of diagnosis and treatment were implemented. These hospitals now treated alcoholic, mental and other simple PTSD cases. Therapies used included shock treatment, rehabilitation and other such psychotherapies. The modern methods of treatment introduced included entertainment trips, exploratory trips, social and scientific excursions. Patients were even sent to other GCC countries to improve their condition.

Innovative ways in psychotherapy went hand-in-hand with specialized and experienced staff who helped improve the situations positively. Kuwait was now on its way to recovery and absolute success. The SDO is also dedicated to achieve other objectives such as organizing professional counseling programs for the traumatized victims and their families, promoting professional skills in their relevant areas, providing suitable therapies and gaining more knowledge and experience through the exchange.

The SDO had directed all its efforts to rehabilitate the Kuwaiti psyche in a constructive and positive way. The SDO boasts of housing professional teams in all their six (6) branches all over Kuwait. The personnel include leading consultants, who have been trained at world-renowned organizations in the fields of psychological rehabilitation, social and educational counseling. SDO provides many services to the people which include the following :-

	Carrying our research programs and relevant studies, the results of which are used to intensify and improve the quality of treatment.
	Counseling services provided to individuals and groups.
	Supervising the rehabilitation process of special cases.
	Following-up on cases.
	Child & parenting counseling.
	Special parenting skills courses, developing the mental health of the youth and other such programs are organized.

Summarizing the aims, SDO directed its efforts towards :-

	Conducting comprehensive studies to discover the cases that were negatively affected.
	Classifying the cases according to the nature of effect, whether psychological, social or educational.
	Following-up with diagnosis, treatment and explication of the problems.

THE PAST 12 YEARS

The SDO has increased in importance over the past five years because of its sincere efforts and achievements. For More Information please Click Here >>