History of the hospital

The Convent of the Cross is the birthplace of the foundation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, since it incarnates the goal and characteristic of the Congregation. It hosts the most miserable individuals suffering from all kinds of mental and psychological disabilities. It takes care of people from all confessions and nationalities and all those who come to it, taking as an example the water source that does not ask the thirsty his origin, according to the Founder’s recommendation, and prooving Abouna Yaacoub’s credibility when he said: “My confession is Lebanon and the sufferings”. 

After the inauguration of Our Lady of the Sea, on May 3, 1923, the Convent of the Cross remained in continuous change and development until it was transformed on February, 5, 1951 into a Psychiatric Hospital after it had been acknowledged by the Lebanese Government. Then, Abouna Yaacoub separated the mentally ill from the elderly, the disabled and the priests and sent the latter to institutions that were especially established for them.

Today, the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross hosts one thousand patients of whom 52% are non-Christians. It is considered to be one of the biggest psychiatric hospitals in Lebanon and the Middle East. It also issues twice a year the “Assabil” magazine in Arabic, French and English, in which scientific, medical and social subjects are treated. Moreover, it holds an annual conference which is attended by the most famous doctors in Lebanon and abroad.

As for spiritual and recreational activities, under the supervision of the management, they occupy a priority for patients and nursing staff.

Hospital pavilions and the various departments of the hospital today

• Saint Michel Pavilion (5 floors + administration floor), with its associated workshop pavilion, fully restored in accordance to the latest standards.
• Our Lady Pavilion (5 floors + administration floor), – Saint Dominique Service in the fifth floor.
• Saint Jacques pavilion (6 floors).
• Central pharmacy.
• Theater and cinema room.
• Dispensary, radiology service and laboratory to help needy patients; it also receives outpatients.
• Cafeteria: a separate building that has been restored with its own courtyard, to serve patients, visitors and medical staff.
• Laundry: it has been equipped with new machines that follow hygiene standards, and are internationally approved in hospitals. It washes four tons of laundry daily.

Methods of therapy at the Hospital of the Cross:

1- Diagnosis is based on:

• Recent international classifications of psychiatric illnesses such as the classification of the American Association, and the classification of mental illnesses by the World Health Organization.
• Psychological tests: such as intelligence tests, aptitude tests and personality tests.

2- Department of social work specializing in the treatment of mental and psychological illnesses:

It was created in 1964. Among its objectives: to reduce the burden of disease for the patient and his family, and to develop the interaction between the patient and his associates, through “social integration”.

3- Department of Psychology:

At the Hospital of the Cross, a certain number of psychologists are distributed in all departments, and carry out the following tasks:

• Psychotherapies: such as cognitive-behavioral therapies, analytical therapies, drama therapy-relaxation, supportive psychotherapy and group psychotherapy.
• Art therapy: at the Hospital of the Cross, there are three art therapy workshops, where patients practice drawing, painting and gluing; these workshops are held by the Sisters and lay people.
• Occupational therapy: such as blacksmithing, carpentry, embroidery, sewing, straw making, crafts, weaving, flower arrangements, candle making and decorating… All these manual works and handicrafts made by patients are the subject of the annual exhibition which succeeds year after year.

Educational and academic activities:

As an academic university hospital, the Hospital of the Cross provides the students and health workers with training sessions and academic learning in the field of mental and psychological health. It is worth mentioning that the hospital gives a diploma from the Arab Council of Psychiatry within the Arab Council Program for medical specializations. It also gives a university diploma in behavioral and cognitive treatments and in eating disorders in collaboration with the Université Saint-Joseph (USJ) and the French universities. There is now a partnership between the Hospital of the Cross, the “Saint Anne” Hospital and the Intervillage Hospital of Toulon for the mentally ill children in France. 
For more information: www.hopitalpsychiatriquedelacroix.org.lb