Under the patronage of Her Highness 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, the Fatima bint Mubarak Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health will take place on 10 October 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
The forum will include ten panel discussions and focus on mothers, children, adolescents, and families, aiming to establish a comprehensive dialogue on mental health issues related to motherhood and childhood in the UAE.
The forum aims to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, their inseparability and nature of physical and psychological health. The forum seeks to highlight 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 is the role of families and societies in fostering an environment conducive to the psychological and social development.
Workshops and discussions will also take place, focusing on a range of topics, including maternal mental health, family dynamics, the therapeutic use of expressive arts, the role of physical activity in mental well-being, and mental health initiatives in educational settings.
Special emphasis will be placed on developing social campaigns to disseminate information, reduce stigma, and promote mental health awareness at a national level.
The workshops aim to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge, fostering a proactive empathetic approach to mental health across society. The forum aims to create a comprehensive dialogue on mental health issues related to motherhood and childhood in the UAE. It will focus on community-based approaches to promote awareness, provide support, and propose solutions. The forum will serve as a platform for sharing experiences, discussing policies, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders.
The event will discuss various topics: Comprehensive Dialogue on Mental Health; Promoting Community-Based Approaches; Awareness and Education; Support Systems and Resource Sharing; Policy Discussion and Advocacy; Collaborative Networks and Partnerships; Inclusivity and Accessibility; Innovation and Research, and Empowerment Through Personal Narratives.
The key topics of the forum will focus on institutional and community roles in enhancing mental health and well-being of children and families and research and data in mental health will be emphasised.
Some of the key questions that will also be addressed are the effects of the family dynamics and values with regard to the child’s psychosocial development, as well as the importance of the provision and promotion of a nurturing environment by caregivers that would foster and strengthen parent-child bonding. The role of schools and education will also be discussed, as well as the role of the psychosocial workers in educational institutions in relation to their capacities, competitiveness and effectiveness in service provision when dealing with children. The forum will also discuss the role of community and health institutions in the psychological care of children.
The forum will also discuss other areas related to mental health support such as sports and physical activity, as well as mental health of the elderly and the role of health institutions and community involvement.
