Who We Are
WFMH Board Candidates for Election
2025-2027
Mohamed Abouelazayem
Country: Egypt
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
Nominator: Nasser Loza
Candidate 1000 word statement
I am honored to submit my nomination to serve on the Board of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), an organization whose mission and impact I have followed and supported throughout my professional journey.
I have over 17 years of combined clinical, academic, and administrative experience in the field of mental health. I am Consultant Psychiatrist, CEO of Dar Abou El Azayem Psychiatric and Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital. Fellow of the Egyptian Board of Psychiatry, holder of Master’s Degree in Neuropsychiatry and a Medical Doctorate in Psychiatry. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Egyptian Association for Mental Health further deepening my leadership in both national and regional advocacy.
The WFMH is not just a professional federation to me is part of my identity. My grandfather, Dr. Gamal Mady Abouelazayem and my father, Dr.Ahmed Gamal Mady Abouelazayem both served as Presidents of the WFMH, and I have proudly participated in its mission from a young age. I was honored to be part of several WFMH congresses and international activities and to serve on the Organizing the 2005 WFMH Congress in Egypt. These formative experiences gave me both a structural understanding of WFMH’s global role and a personal commitment to furthering its mission.
In my current professional role, I lead Dar Abou El Azayem Hospital, a major psychiatric institution in Egypt offering comprehensive services in general psychiatry and addiction treatment. As CEO and Consultant Psychiatrist, I am responsible for clinical oversight, strategic planning, and program development. I also serve as a part-time lecturer in psychiatry at Faculty of medicine at the University of Badr in Cairo. I am a certified trainer in psychosocial interventions, through Tretnet/UNODC and have focused much of my educational efforts on CBT, motivational interviewing, and youth-focused addiction prevention.
My role as Vice President of the Egyptian Association for Mental Health*reflects my long-term involvement with NGOs and civil society. In this capacity, I have led anti-stigma campaigns, partnered with governmental Bodies in Egypt and the middle east and supervised outreach projects—most notably, “the Substance Abuse Prevention Program for High-Risk Working Children”, implemented in collaboration with the National Fund for Addiction Control. These initiatives have helped shift public discourse around mental health and have provided support to at-risk populations through community-based services.
Internationally, I have been involved with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) through the Medical Training Initiative, where I trained at the North East London Foundation Trust. This gave me invaluable experience in cross-system psychiatric models and reinforced my belief in the adaptability of global best practices to diverse local contexts.
I am looking forward to bring to the WFMH a blend of frontline clinical work, policy-informed leadership, organizational governance, and grassroots advocacy. I am fluent in Arabic and English and have extensive experience working across multicultural teams and international settings.
I have applied for life membership during WFMH congress in Cairo 2005
If elected to the Board, I aim to serve in the following capacities:
1. Global Mental Health Advocacy – Leveraging my public communication and campaign experience to support awareness and de-stigmatization, especially in Arabic-speaking and low-income regions.
2. Youth and Addiction Psychiatry – Bringing technical expertise and programmatic models for prevention and early intervention that can be adapted globally.
3. Training and Capacity Building – Contributing to WFMH’s educational goals through structured training programs and mentorship of emerging professionals.
4. Strengthening NGO Collaboration – Facilitating greater synergy between WFMH and regional NGOs through my experience and networks within Egypt and the middle east.
I am looking forward to bring to the WFMH a blend of frontline clinical work, policy-informed leadership, organizational governance, and grassroots advocacy. I am fluent in Arabic and English and have extensive experience working across multicultural teams and international settings.
I am fully committed to participating in Board meetings—whether in-person, virtual, or via email—and can dedicate the necessary time and attention to meet my responsibilities as a Board Member. There are no constraints that would hinder my participation.
In closing, I believe this nomination reflects not only a continuation of my family’s history at WFMH but a personal commitment to advancing mental health at a global level. I am excited by the opportunity to serve on the WFMH Board and contribute my expertise, energy, and leadership to help expand its reach and impact. Together, I believe we can help shape a more equitable, inclusive, and mentally healthy future for all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mohamed Abouelazayem
Consultant Psychiatrist & CEO
Dar Abou El Azayem Psychiatric and Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital
Vice President – Egyptian Association for Mental Health
Cairo, Egypt
Candidate additional statement if provided