"Arabs and the Glass House" is a letter from Dr. Eyad El Sarraj to President Bush. "Indeed Mr. President, it would be a miracle if we wake up one day to find no political prisoners, no torture, no military courts and full respect of international laws and treaties"…

Full letter

-Yvonne Fredriksson, Programme coordinator her assistant of the Palestinian Solidarity Association-Sweden, together with two Swedish academic delegations, visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj and members of the professional team of GCMHP. Dr. Eyad El-Sarraj talked about the current Palestinian situation. Dr. Taysir Diab and Ms. Rawia Hamam Talked about the activities of GCMHP provided for children to combat the psycho-social impact of the Israeli practices in the OPT.

-Dr.Eyad El Sarraj and Salah Abdel Shaffi met with Ms. Hanlie Booysen, the Deputy Representative of South African Representative Office to the Palestinian National Authority. In this meeting, they talked about the current vision of the Palestinian situation and the dangers of Sharon's alleged intentions of dismantling settlements in Gaza Strip. They also talked about the current apartheid wall that Israel is building in the West bank.

-Dr. Eyad El Sarraj and Dr. Iyad Zaqoot met with a delegation representing Medecins Du Monde-France. In this meeting, Dr. El Sarraj talked about the general mental health situation in Palestine and the various activities offered in the area of mental health by GCMHP to alleviate the suffering of the people in the Gaza Strip.  Dr. Iyad Zaqoot talked about the work of the Trauma Counseling team in combating the crisis situations and traumatic experiences. In the End, the two parties agreed to initiate a mutual cooperation and intensify efforts to provide quality mental health services in Gaza Strip.

-A delegation consisting of three members Fabricio Lomanto, Jennifer Lemire, and Daniel Moss of Grassroots International-USA, visited the Programme and met with Dr. Eyad El Sarraj, who briefed them about the current general situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Also, he talked about the activities done by GCMHP to alleviate the psychosocial effect of the Israeli practices. The delegation was accompanied to visit GCMHP Jabalia clinic and talked with Ibrahim Abu-Nada about the activities of the clinic and the services provided to meet the needs of the clients in the northern area. The delegation was taken for a home visit of a case being treated at the clinic, and then they visited Jabalia camp to witness first hand the situation of the families in the camp and the demolished homes as a result of Israeli incursions and shelling. 

-A delegation from the Municipality of Hamer city-in Norway and WHO visited Khan Younis clinic to be acquainted with the services provided by the clinic. Mohammed Mukhaimar briefed them about the community, clinical, training, and research activities conducted by GCMHP. The Municipality of Khan Younis nominated and assigned Khan Younis clinic of GCMHP to be a partner and main stakeholder in a psychosocial project to be performed in partnership between the two Municipalities and WHO. A follow up meeting involving governmental and non-governmental organizations took place to proceed with the planning process.

 -A Norwegian documentary film producer, Anniken Hoel, met with Suhai El-Salmi, and Tamer Mansour of GCMHP's Video Center.

 -They talked about various mental health issue of concern to be filmed and released to the media. She also filmed a documentary film with Dr.Ahmad Abu-Tawahina, a clinical psychologist, about the psycho-social impact of the current Israeli violence on Palestinian children.

-Ms. Sid Sel Wold, a journalist from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK, met with Inas Joda,  mental health worker, and Husam El-Nounou, director of Public Relations, and talked about the impact of violence and trauma on children's mental health.

-An American Reuters Correspondent, Cynthia Johnston, met with Dr. Samy Oweida, and Husam El-Nounou, and talked about the general Palestinian situation and the psycho-social impact of the Israeli air strikes on Palestinian children. 

-A press release was issued condemning the Killing of President’s Advisor in Gaza, Khalil Mohammed Al-Zeben, 59, an advisor at the Palestinian President’s Office in Gaza city, by unknown individuals.

-"Keep Children Away From Military Acts" is a name of a joint press release by Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), Defense for Children International/Palestine Section (DCI/PS), and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR) condemned the alleged use of a Palestinian child to carry explosives, and the Israeli Occupation for using him in their propaganda.

-In commemoration of the Woman International Day, GCMHP issued a press release saluting Palestinian women in this occasion and calling for all means of support to Palestinian women in their struggle and stead-fasting and their key role in society. 

-A condolences letter was sent to his Excellency, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Spain. In this letter, GCMHP expressed sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the government of Spain, Spanish people, and the families of the victims. GCMHP strongly condemned the incident and targeting of innocent civilians in Spain and elsewhere in the world ( full letter). Also, a member of the Advisory Board Dr. Federico Allodi from Toronto wrote an article for the Spanish people.

Full Article

-Dr. Eyad El Sarraj wrote an article titled; "Terror…The Symptom and the Disease" in this dreadful occasion. "The horrific acts of terror in Madrid, which killed innocent human beings, have the mark of evil at work with no mercy…"…

Full Article

-"Glory to the Spirit of Rachel Corrie" is a name of a press release issued on the first anniversary of the dreadful killing of Rachel Corrie, the American Peace Activist, who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer, while she was trying to prevent demolishing a Palestinian home in Rafah. Full Press Release

-A press release was released by GCMHP strongly condemning the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. GCMHP considered the killing of Yassin a new war crime and a blatant violation of international and human rights laws. This killing will intensify the current cycle of violence in the region.

-Additionally, GCMHP staff visited the consolation house of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and offered condolences to his family and friends. This was to express deep sympathy and sorrow for the killing of Sheikh Yassin.In this sad occasion, Dr. Eyad El Sarraj published an article titled; "Yassin and the camp of death".  "I don’t think Sharon is mad or acting in retaliation. He has a plan and it is working…"… Full Article

Dr. El-Sarraj made a presentation in "Access to Health in the occupied territories" conference.
-Dr. Eyad El Sarraj was among the speakers in an event held at Tel Aviv, titled "Access to Health in the Occupied Territories".This event was organized by GCMHP,PHR-Israel and WATCH-Israel. Two professionals, Hassan Zeada and Anwar Wadi, from GCMHP attended the event. During which a film titled "Checkpoints" was displayed to the audience.

Graduation ceremony for 33 post graduate diploma student.
-The Training and Education Department (ETD) of GCMHP held a graduation ceremony for 33 Community Mental Health post graduate diploma graduates of GCMHP. Dr. Abdel Hamid Afana, Head of ETD, Dr. Eyad El Sarraj, Head of the Board of Directors, Dr. Mohamed Asqoul, Head of the Education Department at the Gaza Islamic University, and Dr. Jan Ter Laak, member of the Diploma Academic Board in Netherlands, made speeches and welcomed the graduates, presenting them with their certificates.

Dr. Jan Ter Laak gives training at GCMHP.
-Dr. Jan Ter laak, an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University in Netherlands conducted a two-day training session, about test theory and psychological testing and evaluation, for 30 of GCMHP's professionals and the post graduate diploma students.

Celebrating the 14th anniversary of GCMHP.
-On the 14th anniversary of the establishment of the GCMHP, and with an invitation from the Workers' Committee, GCMHP held an in-house ceremony celebrating this occasion. Dr. Eyad El Sarraj and members of GCMHP's Board of Directors honored the celebration. Dr. El Sarraj welcomed the audience from the staff for such wonderful event. Neven El-Hams, head of Workers' Committee, welcomed the Board of Directors and thanked the employees for their efforts and dedication to the Programme in providing quality service. Dr. El-Sarraj greeted the staff and talked about the history of GCMHP and the achievements and challenges that the Programme faced throughout the last 14 years. He emphasized that the Programme should progress and continue to offer quality and unique services in the area of mental health and human rights. At the end of the celebration, Dr. El Sarraj was given a symbolic gift from the staff for his dedication and commitment to GCMHP and its staff. Also, some staff received a gift of appreciation for their continued and dedicated work.

Director General and Director of Training and Education Visit the Netherlands.
-Director General Salah Abdel Shafi and the Director of the Training and Education Department Dr. Abdel Hamed Afana, visited the Netherlands between March 28th –April 4th.  The purpose of the visit was to discuss future cooperation between GCMHP and the Dutch Government, as well as the new strategic plan of the Programme. During the visit intensive meetings were held with Professor Wim Wollters, Chairman of the International Academic Board of the Post Graduate Diploma in Community Mental Health and Dr. Jan Krapels, consultant of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is worth mentioning that Holland has been financially supporting the Education and Training Department of the Programme for the last 3 years.  

"Towards a non-violent school" a workshop by the children's committee.
-GCMHP's Children Committee conducted a workshop in co-operation with the Ministry of Education. It was titled "Towards a non-violent school" This was a preliminary workshop to commence the project of creating an ideal non-violent school. Dr. Khaled Dahalan, and Safwat Diab talked about the project of effective non-violent communication in school.

Dr. Iyad Zaqout won Donald Cohen Award.
-Dr. Iyad Zaqout, a psychiatrist of GCMHP, has recently received the Donald Cohen Award for the best research proposal in the context of the first research methodology seminar held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.