The 2025 Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the Hold My Hand Rehabilitation, Education and Aid Association, which has been operating within Üsküdar University since 2010, was held. The meeting, chaired by the President of Üsküdar University and President of the Board of Directors of the Hold My Hand Association, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, covered agenda items including project memberships, scholarship criteria, and strategies for combating addiction.
The meeting took place in the Senate Hall at Üsküdar University’s Main Campus and was attended by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan; Prof. İsmail Barış, Head of Commissions; Secretary General Ayşe Banu Güngenci; Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Deputy Chair of the Project and Education Commission; Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan, Deputy Chair of Health Activities; and other association members.
The meeting was moderated by Prof. İsmail Barış.
Prof. Tarhan emphasizes the principle of voluntarism
In his opening speech, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in projects based on voluntarism, highlighting it as a fundamental principle in the association’s work.
"The capitalist system normalizes a pleasure-oriented philosophy of life"
Evaluating current addiction policies, Prof. Tarhan noted that the capitalist system compels individuals toward a pleasure-driven lifestyle: “There is demand, and there is prevalence when it comes to addiction. People feel helpless. The capitalist system is currently normalizing a pleasure-oriented life philosophy. The economy is also progressing toward a pleasure-based model,” he stated.
Plans to establish rehabilitation centers
Members of the association expressed their intention to establish rehabilitation centers to develop sustainable and qualified solutions for addiction treatment. While praising the efforts of organizations like Yeşilay (the Turkish Green Crescent), members emphasized that increasing demand calls for additional centers.
The meeting also addressed key issues such as sustainability, voluntarism, spiritual values, and tackling social problems. The session concluded with a group photo of the participants.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)