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04/10/2025

TBM Training

The International Federation of Green Crescent will launch the Green Crescent Addiction Prevention Program with a 2-day online training on 4–5 October 2025. Participants who complete all sessions and pass the final exam will be certified to implement the program in their local communities.

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05/11/2025

Amb. Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu Highlights the Economic and Social Costs of Addiction at Second World Summit for Social Development
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MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health is the ability to have emotional control, well-being and the capacity to cope with the various challenges of life. For individuals, it involves recognizing their abilities, coping with the normal stress of life, and striving to contribute to society. Under the umbrella of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC), Country Green Crescents aim to reach a wide range of communities to support and raise awareness about mental health. In this context, IFGC continues its efforts to raise awareness among individuals by organizing campaigns to enlighten the community on this crucial subject.

For a Better Mental Health

Protecting our mental health is crucial for living a happy life. However, there are many factors within life that affect our mental well-being. Factors such as family communication, personality traits, social environment, life experiences, etc., impact our mental health. Genetic factors, environmental conditions, lifestyle and dietary habits are also among the direct influencers of our mental health. In this dimension, addiction stands out as one of the most significant psychosocial disorders affecting the individual, family, social environment and the community.

If:

  • You can criticize yourself reasonably and continue your path,
  • You are aware of your emotions and can feel them,
  • You value yourself and others around you,
  • You are both a producer and a consumer,
  • You engage with what is happening in the world,
  • You interact positively with people and maintain relationships,
  • You can contribute to your community,
  • You can cope with daily challenges, provide solutions and manage your time effectively,

then, you have good mental health.

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Factors Affecting Mental Health:

Mental Health from the Perspective of Sustainable Development

The "Sustainable Development Goals" adopted by the UN in 2015 consists of seventeen different goals aimed at promoting global sustainable development, ending poverty, reducing inequalities and ensuring environmental sustainability. The objectives aim to achieve progress globally in social, economic and environmental areas by 2030.

Sustainable development in today's world encompasses not only economic growth but also the mental health of individuals and communities. The Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations reflect this comprehensive approach. Mental health is a critical element that affects the overall quality of life for individuals and communities. When an individual can maintain their mental health, they not only increase their chances of realizing their potential but also make positive contributions to the surrounding community. In this context, emphasizing the significance of mental health within the framework of the UN SDGs is crucial.

Primarily, focusing on mental health in the fight against poverty is critical to ensure that individuals benefit equally from the advantages of sustainable development. Poverty is often associated with stress, uncertainty and social exclusion, which can adversely affect mental health. Therefore, addressing the root causes of poverty and providing individuals with psychosocial support is a fundamental step in building a sustainable future. 

Moreover, the solution for mental health should not be sought solely in the health sector. The ultimate goal of Sustainable Development is to establish good partnerships. Mental health partners include civil society, private sector, governments and non-governmental organizations. The lessons learned from these partnerships can be applied to the overall Sustainable Development Goal agenda. The following five principles are essential at this point:

 

Mood and Physical State Calendar

How is my mood today? How do I feel physically? Why wasn't I feeling well the other day? If you don't know where to start, creating a mood and physical state calendar can be helpful. This calendar, prepared in a short time, will assist you in understanding what makes you feel good or bad, where to avoid and with whom to build closer relationships. For example, by noting that you felt good last Tuesday, you might realize that you went to the gym that day and conclude that exercise has a positive effect on you. This calendar will help you see more clearly how these triggering elements, even forgotten by you, reflect on your mental and physical well-being.

Listen, Rest!

Humans are social beings. When you don't feel well, talking about your feelings with a trusted friend can be helpful. Friends or family, looking from an outside perspective, may open a different door for solving your problem and provide a practical solution. Just having someone listen to you can be beneficial in such moments. Similarly, making a positive impact on the life of a loved one will allow you to feel good and discover your inner strength.

1001 Ways to Feel Good

Having a monotonous lifestyle can be physically and cognitively exhausting. To relieve the negative effects of the physically and mentally demanding nature of work life, you can find activities that will relax you. Doing something you love, learning new things and creating something will increase your self-confidence and be motivational for you. At the core of feeling good mentally is allocating enough time for yourself.

You can attend skill courses, participate in sports activities or engage in volunteer experiences by actively participating in a civil society organization.

You can create the 1001 ways to feel good that suits you best according to your time and place.

Take Time for Yourself!

In a busy moment, stop and look at yourself and question your current situation. How can I cope with the problems I'm currently facing? Think about what results you will achieve on your own. When was the last time you took 5 minutes for yourself? Allocating time for yourself, even if it's just a brief moment, can be looking out of a window or taking deep breaths to feel your breath. Take this moment for yourself every day.

Healthy Relationships

Be trustworthy and find trustworthy people. A strong environment makes you feel safer. Therefore, effective communication is a state of well-being. Building relationships with people and sustaining these relationships are important for your mental health.

Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the capacity to realize one's potential, cope with the stresses of daily life, be productive and fruitful, contribute to one's community, enjoy life, interact with others and sustain the capacity for flexibility, creativity and responsibility.

More Latest News

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Members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) participated in the Africa–Asia Drug Prevention and Treatment Summit, held on 27–28 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, which aimed to prevent drug use, expand access to treatment, and foster stronger cooperation between the two regions. A dedicated parallel session brought together IFGC representatives from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Türkiye, Uganda, and Jordan, where participants shared insights on community-based, culturally sensitive, and inclusive approaches to substance use prevention and treatment. The session featured Abubakar K. Said and Zakariya Abdirahman Mohamed from the Green Crescent Society Kenya; Bakari Ali Mohammed from the Tanzania Green Crescent Community; Osman Abdi Omar from the Somali Green Crescent Society (SGCS); Phatma Ndahura, Ssendiwala Abdul Rahman, and Male Solomon from the Uganda Green Crescent Society; Ergin Beceren from the IFGC; and Mousa Daoud from The Jordan Anti Drugs Society. The interactive exchange highlighted shared challenges and innovative practices, particularly in improving access to care in underserved areas, developing gender-responsive programs, and supporting nomadic and refugee populations. The session once again reflected IFGC’s strong commitment to fostering collaboration among its members and building sustainable partnerships between Africa and Asia in the global effort to prevent substance use and promote recovery.  

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The International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC), in collaboration with YEDAM (Green Crescent Counseling Center), organized an international webinar titled “Motivational Interviewing in Addiction Recovery: YEDAM’s Psychosocial Approach” on November 6, 2025. The one-hour interactive session brought together participants from across the world to exchange knowledge and experiences on the role of motivational interviewing in addiction recovery. Throughout the webinar, YEDAM Psychologist İrem Dönmez provided an in-depth overview of how motivational interviewing techniques can strengthen communication with clients, address field-related challenges, and enhance psychosocial support through evidence-based approaches. Conducted entirely in English with simultaneous French interpretation, the session also featured practical examples and case discussions contributed by Country Green Crescents, fostering a rich and collaborative learning environment. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Balqis Binti Muhamad Kasim, Secretary General of Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent), ensuring a dynamic and engaging discussion throughout the session. Participants actively contributed through Q&A and open discussion segments, exchanging experiences and perspectives from their respective countries while exploring shared challenges and collaborative solutions.

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The Second World Summit for Social Development, held on 5 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), brought together global leaders and experts to discuss inclusive and sustainable development. Among the distinguished participants was Amb. Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) and Vice President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society. During the summit, Amb. Dr. Güllüoğlu delivered a two-minute intervention at the physical event organized by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Family and Social Services. In his remarks, he emphasized the central role of the family in preventing addiction and strengthening social resilience. Dr. Güllüoğlu underlined that “behind every resilient individual stands a strong and caring family,” describing the family as society’s most powerful protector. He highlighted the Turkish Green Crescent’s family-centered prevention model, stressing that prevention begins at home—with informed parents, connected families, and supportive communities. Addressing the challenges posed by digitalization, migration, and economic pressures, he called for holistic policy approaches that reinforce family well-being, emotional connection, and healthy digital habits. In addition to his in-person contribution, Amb. Dr. Güllüoğlu participated in an online session, titled “Addressing the Economic and Social Costs of Addiction for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.” The session gathered international experts and partner organizations working in addiction prevention and social policy. The session featured speakers including Mehmet Fatih Kılıç (Ministry of Family and Social Services, Republic of Türkiye), Yasmine Sabih (Al Najm), Matej Košir (UTRIP Institute), George Ochieng Odalo (Slum Child Foundation), and Michael Dean (Community Alliances for Drug-Free Youth – CADFY). They discussed the complex economic and social impacts of addiction, emphasizing the need for stronger, coordinated global action and sharing practical strategies to address these challenges. In his contribution, Dr. Güllüoğlu emphasized that addiction must be addressed not only as a health concern but also as a major social and economic challenge affecting productivity, social cohesion, and sustainable development. He reaffirmed the IFGC’s commitment to fostering global partnerships that promote preventive education, community resilience, and inclusive policies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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