bp Oman and Outward Bound Oman conclude the ‘Build your Resilience’ programme to support mental health

In partnership with bp Oman, Outward Bound Oman concluded the ‘Build your Resilience’ programme, which aimed to support the mental wellbeing and resilience of young Omanis, especially those affected by the Shaheen cyclone and those who volunteered in the recovery services provided after the cyclone. The programme was able to benefit more than 1000 Omanis aged 18 – 39 years old from various regions of Oman, especially North and South Al Batinah governorates.

The programme included over 60 indoor two-day courses which were held at the Outward Bound Oman Muscat Centre. The courses enhanced the participants’ soft skills, interpersonal skills and capabilities. It also offered a safe environment for them to discuss mental health, well-being and share advice to achieving personal and professional success. The programme also included 10 motivational sessions, that hosted various inspiring mentors and volunteers from many organisations such as bp Oman, Sultan Qaboos University, counselling centres and more.

Ibrahim Al Hinai, Social Investment Manager at bp Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, commented: “Good mental health is critical to wellbeing and is crucial to helping people realize their potential. That’s why we strive to partner with local organisations and national programmes to achieve this. We are delighted that through our partnership with Outward Bound Oman and this programme, we were able to help and improve the health and wellbeing of our workforce and their families and overall build a positive mindset in our youth, contributing to their self-development and in turn to our local community.”

Ziad Al-Harthi, one of the programme’s beneficiaries, further added: "This course helped me greatly in dealing with mental health issues and overcoming them. I learnt many concepts and practical tools that helped me better understand myself and the challenges that I faced. Through the workshops and practical activities, I learned how to control stress and anxiety, and how to deal with life pressures appropriately. I learnt about meditation and relaxation techniques that help calm the mind and strengthen my emotional stability."