H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (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 ‘Motherhood and Child Forum on Mental Health’ today, Sheikha Fatima 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.
Sheikha Fatima 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, ethic
al 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 import
antly, the need for a supportive and understanding community,’ she 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 judgment or discrimination.’
H.H. Sheikha Fatima 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 holist
ic 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 well-being,’ she concluded.
