The Fatima bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood and Childhood is set to convene on 10th October in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in addressing mental health issues within the United Arab Emirates. Under the esteemed patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, often referred to as the Mother of the Nation, this forum promises to foster a comprehensive dialogue on mental health, with a particular focus on children, adolescents, and families.
The forum, guided by Her Highness’s vision, aims to create a platform for exchanging expertise, discussing policies, and enhancing cooperation among key stakeholders. It seeks to establish a community-centred approach to mental health, raising awareness, providing support, and proposing practical solutions that resonate with the UAE’s values and aspirations.
A Community Approach to Mental Health
The Fatima bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood and Childhood is designed to enrich communal approaches to mental health by engaging stakeholders and experts in meaningful dialogue. By focusing on awareness, education, and support systems, the forum aims to reinforce partnerships that ensure inclusivity and accessibility to practical solutions. Innovation, research, and sharing personal narratives and successful case studies will be central to these discussions.
Aligned with Her Highness’s vision, the forum underscores the belief that children embody the nation’s past, present, and future. As such, all concerned entities must provide the necessary resources for their upbringing and education in an integrated manner.
Strategic Importance
Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, has praised the forum as a strategic step towards achieving the UAE’s vision of enhancing the quality of life for mothers, children, and families. He emphasised that the forum aligns with the nation’s priority of establishing a strong health, happiness, and positivity foundation. The Ministry of Health and Prevention is committed to supporting and transforming the forum’s recommendations into innovative, effective programmes that address the community’s needs.
The forum also highlights the UAE’s ambition to build a healthy society where mental and physical well-being are equally valued. It reflects the nation’s commitment to creating a cohesive and prosperous society underpinned by strong mental health foundations.
Visionary Leadership
Al Reem bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, confirmed that the forum is a direct result of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s vision to elevate services provided to mothers and children. The forum will explore strategies to overcome barriers in providing optimal mental health care, especially for children, adolescents, and families. This initiative reflects the UAE’s dedication to creating a nurturing environment for these key groups, ensuring their well-being and quality of life.
The expected outcomes of the forum include an enhanced understanding of mental health challenges and strengthening community support systems and policies. The forum aims to improve funding and access to services and increase cooperation between healthcare, education, and social services sectors. These efforts are geared towards developing culturally appropriate mental health strategies and frameworks for prevention and intervention.
An Inclusive Agenda
The Fatima bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood and Childhood will feature an inclusive agenda that explores the interconnection between mental and physical health. It will also focus on developing a positive self-image, emotional management, relationship-building, and enhancing learning abilities in children and adolescents. Additionally, the forum will strengthen the role of families and communities in supporting their members’ psychological and social development.
In the lead-up to the forum, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood is organising workshops and discussion sessions across the UAE. This event in Abu Dhabi will address topics such as mothers’ mental health, family dynamics, the therapeutic use of expressive arts, and the role of physical activity in psychological well-being. The goal is to develop social and behavioural change campaigns that efficiently spread information, reduce stigma, and increase national mental health awareness.
A Comprehensive Programme
The forum’s programme, implemented in collaboration with the Supreme Council’s partners, includes an educational awareness initiative targeting all societal groups across the Emirates. The programme will feature workshops on various topics, including mental health, expressive art therapy, sports and well-being, and school-level mental health initiatives. It will be executed in major cities such as Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Qaiwain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
In addition to raising awareness, the forum will include training programmes such as first aid for social workers and psychological first aid for children and adolescents. These initiatives aim to empower individuals to provide immediate psychological support in emergencies and promote a culture of empathy, understanding, and peer support.
The Fatima bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood and Childhood is more than just an event; it is a strategic initiative that reflects the UAE’s commitment to mental health as a cornerstone of a thriving society. By focusing on the well-being of mothers, children, and families, the forum seeks to ensure that all members of society enjoy the highest levels of mental health and social stability.
As the media office in Abu Dhabi continues to promote this initiative, it is clear that the Fatima bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood and Childhood will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health in the UAE.
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