On Sunday, October 11, 2026, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day, the Department of General Education at Cihan University–Erbil organized a specialized scientific and awareness workshop in the university’s VIP Hall. The event was held under the supervision of Dr. Rozhan Ali Khdir and Lecturer Dashne Abdullah Saeed, with active participation from the department’s students.

The workshop attracted considerable academic and student participation, including the Vice President of the University for Administrative and Student Affairs, Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdulstar Karim Saeed, as well as department heads, faculty members, academic staff, and students from various disciplines.

Dr. Rozhan Ali Khdir opened the workshop with an introductory presentation on the concept of mental health and common psychological disorders. She highlighted the importance of psychological well-being and its significant impact on students’ academic performance and daily lives.

The workshop also featured several student presentations on key mental health topics. Student Zhela Hasan Omar discussed psychological stress and its physical and psychological effects, introducing practical coping strategies, including breathing and relaxation techniques. Student Mardin Sherzad Omar presented an overview of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), explaining its clinical symptoms and established treatment approaches.

Students Shano Rushdi and Shewar Rushdi addressed anxiety disorders, distinguishing between normal anxiety and pathological anxiety. Their presentation focused on Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and oObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Finally, student Mazin Shirwan Mustafa discussed specific phobias and explained how mental health challenges can affect individual behavior, daily functioning, and academic progress.

The workshop concluded with an interactive panel discussion and an open question-and-answer session. The discussion emphasized the importance of early identification of psychological disorders and the need to foster a supportive university environment that provides accessible counseling services.

To recognize their contributions to the success of the event, certificates of appreciation were presented to the participants by the Head of the Department, Dr. Ahmed Abd Aoun.