Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) has signed a landmark cooperation protocol with the Fahem Foundation for Psychological Support and ElMashfa Hospital. The agreement marks the official launch of the national initiative “Balanced Child… Cohesive Society”, designed to promote psychological wellness among children and foster stable, resilient communities.
Mental Health: A National Priority for Egypt’s Future
Dr. Sahar El Sonbaty, Secretary-General of the NCCM, emphasized that children’s mental health is a cornerstone for nurturing balanced individuals and strong family units. “Mental well-being is not a luxury; it is an essential right and a national responsibility. This initiative represents a vital step in ensuring psychological security for Egypt’s children,” she stated during the signing ceremony.
She highlighted that the collaboration aligns with Egypt’s constitutional and international commitments to child rights. The initiative will deploy integrated services including psychological counseling, family guidance, awareness programs, and national outreach campaigns to create safe and nurturing environments for children.
Key Goals of the “Balanced Child” Initiative:
- Support the psychological development of children through school-based and community programs.
- Provide family counseling services and equip parents and teachers with mental health tools.
- Conduct nationwide awareness campaigns and psychological first aid workshops.
- Activate child protection mechanisms, including Egypt’s Child Rescue Hotline (16000), to swiftly respond to cases of psychological risk.
- Train educators, social workers, and healthcare providers in identifying and managing early signs of psychological distress.
Fahem Foundation: Mental Awareness Starts at Home
Ambassador Nabila Makram, Chairperson of the Fahem Foundation and Executive Head of the National Alliance for Civil and Developmental Work, hailed the partnership as a transformative moment in Egypt’s child protection landscape. “Psychological awareness must begin at home and extend to schools and communities. This initiative promotes values of tolerance, empathy, and emotional resilience in the early stages of life,” she noted.
Makram emphasized that Fahem Foundation’s mission is rooted in preventive mental health — aiming to instill psychological literacy as a societal norm, not a stigma.
Medical Expertise at the Core of Implementation
Prof. Abdel Nasser Omar, Chairman of ElMashfa Hospital and Board Member of the Fahem Foundation, reinforced the medical importance of early psychological intervention. “Building a creative, emotionally resilient generation starts with recognizing mental health as a non-negotiable part of child development. This partnership is a model of how civil society, government, and healthcare can collaborate to bring sustainable impact.”
Ministry of Education and Health Bodies Join Efforts
Dr. Ahmed Daher, Deputy Minister of Education, echoed the importance of integrating mental health education into school curricula to fight bullying and foster social inclusion. Meanwhile, Dr. Aya Nassar, Vice President of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation, stressed the necessity of enforcing mental health quality standards across child care facilities.
A Multi-Year Commitment to Lasting Change
The protocol spans three years, with provisions for renewal. A joint coordination committee will oversee implementation, ensuring alignment of efforts across all sectors and stakeholders. The initiative’s long-term vision is to embed psychological well-being into the heart of Egypt’s child protection and development framework.
This historic collaboration signals Egypt’s unwavering commitment to raising a generation of emotionally resilient, socially aware citizens — because a balanced child truly does build a cohesive society.
