ABU DHABI (WAM)
The Fatima bint Mubarak Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Mother of the Nation, delivered messages from UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in support of mental health.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, and Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, participated with pre-recorded messages highlighting the importance of addressing the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and caregivers. They also commended the United Arab Emirates for its efforts in this field.
Russell said, "I'm pleased to see that this form is paying special attention to the well-being of women, including mothers. We appreciate that the UAE is adapting UNICEF guidance, including our psychological first aid package, to its local context. UNICEF is pleased to support the training of several entities and partners.
We see great opportunities for harnessing UAE's convening power for innovation. It's a great way to source, support, and scale up children and youth friendly innovations in the global market. The UAE's innovation ecosystem is well-placed to do just that. This forum comes at a critical juncture in furthering mental health."
For his part, Dr. Tedros emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support for caregivers, especially mothers. He highlighted the UAE's efforts in this regard and noted that supporting caregivers is key to breaking the cycle of poor mental health and promoting healthier families.
Dr. Tedros said, "There is no health without mental health. Supporting caregivers is key to breaking the cycle and promoting healthier families."
He added, "Poor mental and brain health affects millions of children and adolescents globally. One in seven adolescents lives with a mental health condition and in 2019, there were over 300 million children and adolescents globally with developmental disabilities."
"Supporting caregivers is key to breaking this cycle and promoting healthier families. Together, we must also tackle stigma and work to integrate mental and brain health into maternal and child health services," he further noted.
The forum aimed to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, their inseparability and nature of physical and psychological health. The forum highlighted the importance of nurturing a positive sense of identity, emotional management, relationship building, and learning in children and adolescents.
Central to the forum's objectives was the role of families and societies in fostering an environment conducive to psychological and social development.