THE PAST 12 YEARS

The SDO has increased in importance over the past five years because of its sincere efforts and achievements. It has now build a reputation for itself based on the firm foundation known as 'trust'. Due to the nature of our goals and work, we have established ties, obtained membership status and continue to deal with similar international organizations and this has basically enhanced SDO's reputation abroad.

The SDO has progressed considerably in the past 12 years. SDO has developed contacts and obtained co-operation from their international counterparts and other experts. Exchange of ideas and information has always been of prime importance. This has been one of the major factors contributing to success. Consequently, the development of new relationships has led to innovations in the fields of counseling and psychotherapy.

Objectives of the SDO

	Identifying cases.
	Providing counseling services to the victims of the Gulf war.
	Rehabilitating the Kuwaiti psyche.
	Improving the quality of mental health services.
	Reducing the stigma associated with mental and emotional disorders.
	Protecting the human rights of persons defined as mentally ill.
	Promoting mental health.
	Preventing mental/emotional illness, distress and less than optimal function, both in general populations and in vulnerable groups at risk.
	Identifying widespread mental health issues, and encouraging international, national and local campaigns for public education.

One of our aims is to provide training for our therapists, counselors and other staff dealing with therapeutic orientation with the objective of making them more professional and successful in their work. The SDO is also dedicated to achieve other objectives such as organizing professional counseling programs for the traumatized victims and their families, promoting professional skills in their relevant areas, providing suitable therapies and gaining more knowledge and experience through the exchange.

The Social Development Department houses the following :

	Counseling Services
	Research & Studies
	Public Relations & Media
	Training

The SDO had directed all its efforts to rehabilitate the Kuwaiti psyche in a constructive and positive way. The SDO boasts of housing professional teams in all their branches all over Kuwait. The personnel include leading consultants, who have been trained at world-renowned organizations in the fields of psychological rehabilitation, social and educational counseling.