Mental Health Resources Available for Families in Qatar

Mental Health Resources Available for Families in Qatar

Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, especially when you’re not sure where to start.

‘Who do I even call?’ ‘Is this for emergencies only?’ ‘Will anyone understand what my family is going through?’

If these questions sound familiar, take a breath. Qatar’s mental health landscape has grown significantly in recent years, and there are more doors open to families today than ever before. This guide walks you through the main resources available, so you know exactly where to turn.

You’re Not Alone in Looking for Help

Many parents assume they should already know where to find support, and feel hesitant when they don’t. But navigating mental health care is unfamiliar territory for most families, whether you’ve lived in Qatar for decades or just arrived.

Knowing what’s available, and how each service fits into your family’s needs, is the first real step toward getting the right kind of help.

National and Government Resources

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) offer several entry points into the public mental health system:

National Mental Health Helpline

Run by HMC’s Mental Health Service, this confidential helpline connects callers with trained psychologists, psychiatrists, and nurses. It offers rapid support during a crisis, along with guidance and advice for family members who are concerned about a loved one. The team works across several languages, including Arabic, English, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam.

  • Call 16000 and select option 4

Nar’aakom (Primary Health Care Corporation)

PHCC’s Nar’aakom service can connect you with mental health support clinics across its health centers. A family doctor or psychiatrist can also refer patients directly into this network.

  • Call 107, or use the Nar’aakom app

Seha Nafsia

A Ministry of Public Health platform under the National Mental Health Program, offering information and resources for anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a friend or family member.

  • Visit sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa

Specialized Care for Children and Adolescents

Families raising children with emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs often require more specialized support than a general helpline can offer.

Sidra Medicine’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services provides psychiatric and psychological care for children and youth aged 5 to 18, covering concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and autism-related needs.

Private, multidisciplinary centers like Odyssey Center in Doha complement these public services by offering personalized, ongoing care for children and families, including in-clinic therapy, on-campus support at schools, and home-based sessions. This kind of continuity can matter greatly for families who need more than a single consultation, such as those managing developmental delays, learning challenges, or long-term emotional support.

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Family

Not every family needs the same kind of support, and that’s completely normal. Some helpful questions to ask yourself:

  • Is this an urgent, crisis situation, or an ongoing concern?
  • Does my child need age-appropriate, play-based therapy, or would our whole family benefit from sessions together?
  • Would we feel more comfortable with in-clinic visits, school-based support, or care at home?
  • Is language a factor? Many providers in Qatar offer sessions in Arabic, English, and French.

If you’re ever unsure which service fits, a licensed provider can help guide you toward the right level of care, whether that’s a public helpline, a specialized children’s service, or a private center.

A Few Practical Notes

  • When choosing a private practitioner, it’s worth confirming they are licensed by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health.
  • Many practitioners in Qatar are also affiliated with regional professional bodies that promote ethical, evidence-based practice.
  • Support isn’t limited to moments of crisis. Many families reach out simply to better understand a change in mood, behavior, or family dynamics.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Looking for the right kind of support for your family is, in itself, a sign of care and attentiveness. Qatar’s mental health resources exist precisely so that no family has to face these questions in isolation.

At Odyssey Center, we work alongside families across Doha to make that first step feel less overwhelming, whether you’re looking for a single conversation or ongoing, personalized care.

A Gentle Reminder for Families

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Taking the first step is often the hardest part, and you’ve already started.

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Inaam El Hout

Inaam is a Psychotherapist holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Child Psychology from the United Kingdom. She has further strengthened her expertise in understanding and supporting children’s mental health and development through advanced academic training and hands-on professional experience. Currently, she serves as Psychotherapist and ABA Therapist at Odyssey Center.

Bringing over five years of experience, Inaam has worked closely with children, families, and educational systems across clinical settings, special education environments, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs. Her practice is grounded in evidence-based approaches, and she integrates ABA methodologies with psychology and social work principles to support children with developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges.

Inaam is passionate about improving children’s emotional and behavioral well-being and is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their lives. She thrives in collaborative environments and is committed to continuing her growth in the fields of child psychology, special education, and ABA.

Said Mahmoud

Said Mahmoud is a licensed Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in both clinical practice and educational leadership. Currently, he serves as Senior Occupational Therapist at Odyssey Center.

A graduate of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (2021), Said is an active member of the Lebanese Occupational Therapists Syndicate (LOTS) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). His work focuses on enhancing functional development, cognitive and motor skills, and daily participation for children and adults with physical, intellectual, or developmental challenges. Guided by a human-centered, evidence-based approach, he tailors each intervention to the individual’s unique strengths and needs.

Beyond his clinical and managerial responsibilities, Said has designed and delivered numerous workshops and awareness sessions addressing inclusion, child development, and special education. He is deeply committed to creating environments where individuals of all abilities can grow, participate, and thrive.

Said also holds a certification in Music Therapy, which he integrates into his sessions to enrich the therapeutic experience and promote emotional expression.

Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, he continuously seeks new opportunities for professional growth and innovation in the field of rehabilitation and inclusive education.

Yara Ayache

Yara Ayache  is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over six years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She holds a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health from the University of Sussex (United Kingdom) and provides therapy in both Arabic and English.

Yara has extensive experience supporting children and adolescents with emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, low mood, behavioural challenges, self-esteem concerns, and social skills development. She also works with adults and couples, supporting clients through emotional difficulties, life transitions, and relationship-related concerns.

In addition to therapeutic work, Yara is skilled in psychological assessment, including cognitive, educational, and emotional assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked closely within multidisciplinary teams, psychiatrists, and educators to provide holistic care.

Her therapeutic approach has Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training from Beck Institute (USA), training in Integrative Psychodynamic approaches, and couples counselling training from The Gottman Institute (USA).

Yara views therapy as a space for understanding patterns, building insight, developing emotional awareness, and fostering self-compassion and growth. She aims to meet each client where they are and tailor therapy to their unique experiences, strengths and goals.

Carine Yaacoub

Carine is a Clinical Dietitian and Nutritionist, specialized in Eating Disorders, with several years of experience supporting individuals of all ages in improving their relationship with food and body image.

She is also trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, supporting children and families with feeding challenges using a gentle, sensory-based framework and nutrition.

Carine is passionate about changing eating behaviors, helps clients feel safe with food, rebuild confidence, and move toward a healthier, more balanced lifestyle and optimal well-being.

Martine Fata

Martine is a Speech and Language Pathologist holding a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Saint Joseph University in Beirut. She currently works as the Head of the Speech Therapy Department at Odyssey Center.

Bringing her expertise from Lebanon and France, Martine has worked with both children and adults across various settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation and elders care centers. Her experience covers a wide range of domains such as learning disorders, speech delays, as well as cognitive rehabilitation, swallowing disorders, voice disorders and language impairments (aphasia).

Martine participated in several research projects in collaboration with her university in Beirut and healthcare professionals, focusing on teachers’ guidance in supporting children’s language development, as well as on therapeutic education for patients with dysphagia and their caregivers.

Trilingual in French, English, and Arabic, Martine is passionate about providing evidence-based care with enthusiasm, empathy, and professionalism to every individual in need.

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Mohamad Trabulsi

Mohamad serves as the Administration & Finance Manager at Odyssey Center, bringing extensive experience in accounting, administration, and operations to enhance efficiency and ensure financial stability.

He has a proven track record in managing staff, streamlining operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting facility management and interdepartmental communication. In his current role, Mohamad oversees key financial functions, including cash flow management, forecasting, and reporting, while developing financial strategies, ensuring audit and regulatory compliance, and implementing cost-saving measures to enhance outcomes.

On the administrative side, he leads a team of professionals, oversees HR functions, and develops policies that foster collaboration, operational efficiency, and high performance.

Mohamad holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Information Systems and an MBA in Management. He is also a Certified Purchasing Professional.

By aligning financial integrity with operational excellence, Mohamad supports Odyssey Center in achieving its strategic goals.

Theresa Bou Raffoul

Theresa is a licensed, dedicated, and compassionate Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over three years of experience in diagnosing and treating speech and language disorders.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the Lebanese University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. Theresa has worked across various clinical settings, including schools, centers, and private practices, gaining expertise in language delays, speech and fluency disorders, social communication difficulties, and learning challenges. Her focus is on early intervention and supporting school-age children.

Passionate about helping individuals overcome communication barriers, Theresa stays updated with the latest research and techniques, actively engaging in professional development. She believes in a holistic approach to care, emphasizing family involvement and collaboration with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support.

Dana El Khatib

Dana, a licensed clinical psychologist, holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon. Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Dana brings over seven years of experience in working with children, adolescents, and adults.

She specializes in supporting children with autism, developmental delays, and learning disabilities, and is highly skilled in administering psychometric assessments and providing tailored interventions. Dana’s therapeutic approach is personalized, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for clients to navigate emotional and psychological challenges.

In addition to her expertise, Dana holds certifications in Reconsolidation Therapy (Brunet Method) from Canada, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy.

Celine Chahine

Celine is a dedicated mental health professional with over 20 years of experience supporting children with special needs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has spent more than a decade in Qatar, working as both an ABA therapist and a school counselor, where she provided crucial support to students and families, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

Her extensive experience in educational settings has equipped her with a deep understanding of the unique needs of children, enabling her to implement personalized strategies that leverage each child’s strengths.

Currently, Celine serves as the managing partner of Odyssey Center in Qatar, leading a team of professionals committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

Under her leadership, the center has become a trusted resource for families, offering essential support and advocacy for children’s mental health and developmental needs.

Driven by a passion for community impact, Celine is dedicated to raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of special needs and mental health. Her vision is to create a more inclusive society where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.