UNICEF And WHO Leaders Highlight Importance Of Mental Health Support At Fatima Bint Mubarak Forum

The Fatima bint Mubarak Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health, supported by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, focused on mental health advocacy. The event featured messages from UNICEF and WHO, emphasising the need to address mental health for children, adolescents, and caregivers. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of WHO and Catherine Russell of UNICEF praised the UAE's initiatives in this area.

Dr. Tedros highlighted the importance of comprehensive mental health support for caregivers, especially mothers. He stated that supporting caregivers is essential to breaking cycles of poor mental health and fostering healthier families. "There is no health without mental health," he said, underscoring the significance of integrating mental health into maternal and child services.

Catherine Russell expressed satisfaction with the forum's focus on women's well-being, particularly mothers. She noted that the UAE is adapting UNICEF's guidance to its local context, including psychological first aid training. "We see great opportunities for harnessing UAE's convening power for innovation," she stated, recognising the country's potential in scaling up youth-friendly innovations globally.

The forum also explored the connection between mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, stressing their inseparability from physical health. It highlighted nurturing a positive identity, emotional management, relationship building, and learning in children and adolescents as crucial elements for development.

Central to the discussions was how families and societies can create environments that support psychological and social growth. The forum aimed to foster understanding of these roles in promoting a supportive atmosphere for children's development.

Dr. Tedros further noted that millions of children globally suffer from poor mental health or developmental disabilities. He emphasised tackling stigma and integrating mental health into broader healthcare services as vital steps forward.

Russell added that UNICEF supports training various entities in the UAE to enhance mental health initiatives. She acknowledged the country's innovation ecosystem as well-suited for advancing global market solutions for children and youth.

The forum underscored the critical timing of these discussions in advancing mental health awareness. It aimed to leverage UAE's influence to promote innovative solutions addressing global challenges in children's mental wellbeing.

The event concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration among global partners to improve mental health outcomes for children and families worldwide.

With inputs from WAM