MAYS IBRAHIM/WAM (ABU DHABI)
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, emphasised that mental health is key to building a healthy society that embraces modernity while preserving its heritage, ensuring a prosperous present and a promising future for future generations.
In her statement on the occasion of the convening of the Fatima bint Mubarak Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health on Thursday, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak expressed her wishes for success to all the participants and attendees at the forum, which is aimed at raising awareness, exchanging expertise and building collaborations to support the mental health needs of mothers and children.
H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said: “This event has been organised in full alignment with my deeply held belief that our children embody the nation’s past, present and future, and therefore, all concerned parties, including our communities, have a moral, ethical and national duty to provide the necessary resources for their upbringing and education in a rounded, appreciative and sympathetic atmosphere.”
H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak explained that the forum, which is being held under her patronage, has significant importance, as its purpose is to not only establish a thoroughly open, honest and meaningful dialogue on mental health issues related to motherhood and childhood in the UAE, but to also create the means to follow through on these discussions with positive and affirmative action, with the intention of forming a national platform to address crucial issues surrounding the mental well-being of mothers, children and adolescents.
“Our distinguished participants and attendees will play a vital role in highlighting the challenges faced by mothers and children in today’s world; and by shedding light on these challenges, they will be raising awareness about the importance of early intervention, better access to mental health services, and, perhaps most importantly, the need for a supportive and understanding community,” Her Highness added.
H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said that society has long allowed anxiety and shame to govern attitudes towards mental health issues, therefore, the key aspects of this forum is its focus on the need to de-stigmatise mental health issues that often affect mothers and children. “By providing a space for open discussions, we want to help break down barriers and enable an environment where individuals can seek help and support without fear of judgement or discrimination.”
H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak emphasised that the Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health serves as a crucial platform for advocating for the mental health rights of mothers and children.
“Through education, awareness-raising, collaboration, exchange of expertise and frank and open discussion, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for mothers and children to thrive and lead healthy, fulfilling lives; participants at the forum will become part of a holistic process that supports Emirati values of achieving better quality of life for all, reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the UAE to build, and maintain, a healthy society where everyone can enjoy happiness, positivity and wellbeing,” Her Highness concluded.
A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
The forum, held in Abu Dhabi, brought together local and international stakeholders for a comprehensive dialogue on mental health.
The forum kicked off with a dynamic discussion moderated by UNICEF regional ambassador and renowned actor Ahmed Helmy. He engaged children and adolescents from the UAE in open conversations about mental health, where they shared their personal experiences and addressed issues like bullying, the misuse of social media, and the important roles that parents and schools play in their lives.
This was followed by a dialogue discussion titled “Together for Mental Health” and moderated by Ambassador Moushira Khattab, Chairperson of the National Council for Human Rights. It featured key insights from leaders in health and human rights on the pathways towards strengthening mental health systems through improved community support and policy frameworks.
Dr. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Authority, emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to mental health, highlighting the importance of prevention, promotion, and protection.
“There is no health without mental health,” he said, urging for a collaborative effort among families, the state, and communities to enhance mental health understanding and accessibility.
Shaista Asif, COO and Co-founder of PureHealth, shared her organisation’s vision for mental health, focused on leveraging technology to make mental health care accessible and affordable to all.
PureHealth has recently introduced “Sakina”, a comprehensive platform aimed at providing holistic mental health services, from outpatient hubs to specialised clinics. It had also launched Pura, an AI-powered app that integrates traditional healthcare services with data-driven insights utilizing artificial intelligence.
Dr. Sophie Kiladze, Vice Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, highlighted the committee’s role in monitoring children’s rights based on the widely ratified Convention on the Rights of the Child, with great emphasis on mental health due to its critical role in the realisation of many other rights.
Javier Aguilar, Regional Child Protection Adviser for UNICEF, noted that childhood experiences significantly shape individuals throughout their lives, which is why it’s necessary to foster mental health through positive relationships during childhood - specifically through parenting, school, and peer interactions.
Aguilar advocated for better training of professionals, such as pediatricians and teachers, to support children’s mental health at a preventive level, rather than focusing solely on specialised medical care.
Dr. Vanessa Cavallera, WHO Representative, emphasised the necessity of integrating mental health services into primary care and community support systems. “We cannot rely on the health sector alone,” she stated, advocating for a coordinated approach that includes education, welfare, and justice systems.
‘By providing a space for open discussions, we want to help break down barriers and enable an environment where individuals can seek help and support without fear of judgement or discrimination’