Rabat– The Friedrich Naumann Foundation‘s Youth Task Force launched on Wednesday the L’GANA 1.0 Hackathon, a three-day event running from November 13-15. This initiative brings together 21 participants, divided into seven teams, to develop technological solutions aimed at addressing pressing mental health challenges in Morocco.
With guidance from experts in technology, mental health, and entrepreneurship, the hackathon strives to enhance the accessibility and understanding of mental health care across the country.
Sami Chakour, a clinical psychology student and project consultant, shared his insights on the event’s organization. Drawing from his extensive experience in civil society and psychology, Chakour emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to make mental health more accessible and better understood.
“Participants will be mentored by experts from diverse fields—tech, mental health, and entrepreneurship—helping them develop ideas or even products to address mental health issues in Morocco,” Chakour explained in an interview with Morocco World News.
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The hackathon’s challenges tackle several key areas, including improving access to mental health services, particularly in underserved and remote regions, and developing Mental Health First Aid systems for individuals in psychological crises.
Suicide prevention is another focus, with the goal of creating community-based interventions to reduce suicides.
The event also addresses mental health issues among children and adolescents, supports workplace well-being, and provides resources to help students manage academic stress. Additionally, participants will work on combating cyberbullying by developing tools to protect individuals from online harassment.
By addressing these critical areas, the L’GANA 1.0 Hackathon seeks to create innovative solutions that will improve mental health care and its accessibility, while tackling stigma and preventing issues such as addiction.
Ultimately, the competition aims to enhance the quality of mental health services in Morocco, making them more inclusive and effective for all.
