Peyrakdarian: Protecting Athletes' Mental Health

Minister of Youth and Sports Nora Peyrakdarian opened the first academic seminar of Lebanon’s Sports Week at the Lebanese University, titled "Athletes' Mental Health in Wartime," attended by its president, Bassam Badran.

In her speech, Peyrakdarian stated that "the Sports Week is not merely adding another event to the calendar, but launching a comprehensive national approach viewing sports as a fundamental element in public health, education, social integration, and human development," stressing the "need to protect athletes' mental health, particularly amid crises and wars, which impose significant psychological and social pressures, along with competition challenges, injuries, disrupted training, and future uncertainties." She explained that "the ministry aims to link sports practice with scientific research and transform seminar outcomes into actionable recommendations and policies through building sustainable institutional partnerships with universities, scientific bodies, and experts."

Badran

For his part, Badran highlighted the "efforts made by Minister Peyrakdarian to develop the sports sector and strengthen its health, educational, and social roles," thanking her for "her initiative to organize the Sports Week and choose the Lebanese University to host its first academic seminar," expressing his "ongoing support for the ministry’s activities and full backing of its initiatives."

The seminar featured presentations by Dr. Ghada Jouni and sports psychologist Natacha Jabali, who addressed the key psychological challenges athletes face during wartime, ways to provide psychological support and enhance their resilience, and the importance of integrating mental health into the comprehensive sports care system.

Finally, Peyrakdarian thanked the Lebanese University and its president, reaffirming that "the goal is for the Sports Week to leave a lasting impact, contributing to building more balanced youth, athletes receiving proper care and protection, and a society better equipped to endure and recover."