Birzeit University’s Nursing Department at the Faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions sponsored a lecture on mental health on March 4, 2013 that was delivered by Associate Professor of Health Hans-Peter de Ruiter via video conference from Minnesota State University in the United States, where he teaches. The department’s senior students attended the lecture on the importance of mental health and to what extent Arab and Western societies and governments are willing to accept mental health as a medical discipline.

Professor de Ruiter overviewed comparative statistics and behavioral practices towards mental health among Palestinian, European and American communities. The lecture included discussion and questions from the audience of students and professors.

Hans-Peter de Ruiter’s background can be found at the Minnesota State University website, http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/faculty/hanspeterderuiter.html