Tamaken programme to help trainees navigate mental health landscape

Muscat: Approximately 332 million people in the world have depression, which is about 1.5 times more common among women than men, according to the World Health Organization. In Oman, statistics on depression and anxiety indicate a significant burden, with a 2023 Sultan Qaboos University study reporting a 33.7-per cent depression rate among college students.
Data from 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic showed that 57 per cent of youth experienced depression, 40.5 per cent anxiety and 38.1 per cent stress.
Recent studies among university students and medical residents also show high rates, with one study among medical residents in 2020 finding a 28.8-per cent depression rate.
About 25 psychology graduates will undergo special training to emphasise the importance of advancing mental health education in Oman.
The launch of Tamaken, a pioneering training programme in mental health and well-being, was held at the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) in Muscat.
The training programme is designed by Al Harub Medical Centre and supported by BP Oman.
This pioneering initiative is carefully adapted to Oman's cultural and social context, ensuring relevance to the unique needs of the local community. It blends international best practices with practical, context-specific training to empower early-career psychologists, allied health professionals and community leaders. By bridging the gap between academic learning and clinical practice, Tamaken aims to build a sustainable workforce in mental health and strengthen Oman's capacity to respond to the rising demand for psychological services.
Idris al Obaidani, Senior Occupational Health Adviser at BP Oman, said in his speech that the Tamaken programme is a significant initiative that BP Oman is proud to support. He mentioned that the programme is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application for Omani psychology graduates.
The programme aims to offer a comprehensive curriculum that will help the trainees navigate the mental health landscape in Oman by providing local context and exposing them to Omani societal norms, traditions and beliefs, preparing them for client-facing roles in clinics.
Al Obaidani expressed hope that the programme will have a profound impact on the community and mental health professionals.
Tamaken is the brainchild of Nutaila al Kharusi, Managing Director at Al Harub Medical Centre.
'Tamaken was born out of seeing a clear gap in our field - so many talented, eager graduates in mental health, hungry to put their knowledge into practice, but with no structured path to guide them. During the pandemic, when the world seemed to pause, I began writing the proposal for this programme. The timing was not right then, but today, here we are with the trainees, the very first cohort of Tamaken,' said Nutaila.
She pointed out that the programme is not just training; it's an investment in the future of mental health in Oman.
The programme will consist of 12 weeks of theoretical training, four weeks of foundational practicum for bachelor's psychology graduates and six months of advanced practicum for master's psychology graduates. After the training, Tamaken trainees will be able to apply the skills they have learned in university to the realities of an Arab and Omani context.