The Ministry of Social Development and Family has organised pre-marriage counseling programme within its national project ‘First –Year-of-Marriage’.

The two-day event which was held at Wifaq Family Consulting Center attracted a large number of participants.

The programme aims to strengthen marital relations and help couples overcome challenges in the early years of their marriage to reduce divorce rates.

Dr. Russell Bursley, a psychiatric consultant from Kuwait presented the programme. It included two lectures and a workshop during the morning and evening periods on the first day for both genders separately. While the rest of the lectures and the interactive workshop were in the evening period of the following day, October 13.

The lectures during the programme covered several topics, including: communication skills, conflict resolution skills, financial responsibility, how to deal with parents and in-laws, emotional integration, adapting to life changes and challenges, and others.

Regarding communication skills, Dr. Bursley explained to the audience how to communicate clearly and effectively through active listening and expressing feelings and needs in a constructive manner.

The attendees also learned how to solve the differences through a healthy communication. Dr. Bursley explained how to manage the marital budget, including saving, investing, and planning for the future.

She also discussed how to deal with the husband’s family and to build healthy relationships and how to deal with potential tensions, especially when they are living in shared housing.

Regarding emotional integration, attendees gained important information about emotional health and how to build a healthy relationship. Emotional integration allows us to develop a more authentic and meaningful relationship with ourselves and others. 

Dr. Bursley also focused on how to manage time and set priorities between work and family life, and how to adapt to major changes such as having children. She provided guidance for maintaining a balanced marital relationship. 

The interactive workshop included applications on compassionate communication and practicing marital dialogue skills in the context of various situations.

The ‘First –Year-of- Marriage’ programme comes from the Ministry of Social Development and Family's keenness on family cohesion. 

It is a multi-dimensional program that is primarily focusing on those about to get married and newlyweds to support and stabilize emerging families by providing them with the necessary family services to make married life successful.