The event, the first of its kind in the region, was held under the theme ‘Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Shaping the Future’ and was hosted by Al Jalila Specialty Children’s Hospital.
Dubai: The International Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health conference concluded with success on Friday at the Dubai World Trade Center after a packed program of lectures and meaningful discussion sessions featuring elite specialists and researchers over a period of 4 days. The conference included a group of young people on the latest studies and innovative solutions to a variety of mental health problems facing today’s youth around the world.
Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital hosted the first event of its kind in the region between 5 and 9 December under the slogan ‘Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Shaping the Future’.
On Thursday, the conference saw a valuable discussion session on the future of mental health in the UAE, with the participation of prominent personalities, including Dr. Ammar Al-Banna, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, and Head of the Center of Excellence for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. together with Amal Al Balushi, Director of the National Happiness and Wellbeing Program at the Ministry of Community Development; Ibrahim Al Harbi, Labor Specialist at Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority; Dr. Essam Al Zarouni, Executive Director of Medical Services Sector at Emirates Health Services Corporation; Fatima Belrahif, Executive Director of the Education Inspection Office at the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority; And Dr. Mishaal Sultan, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Al Jalila Specialty Children’s Hospital.
Participants had the opportunity to listen and communicate directly with mental health professionals with extensive experience in this field through interactive sessions focusing on ways to promote mental health and provide support to those in need of treatment and assistance. The discussions shed light on important topics such as the optimal use of available resources and the willingness of patients to raise their concerns without hesitation in front of trusted specialists.
During the session, Ms. Amal Al Balushi reviewed some of the major initiatives aimed at promoting the mental health of children and adolescents, which fall within the framework of the UAE government’s agenda in addressing such challenges.
In turn, Dr Ibrahim highlighted the role of the Abu Dhabi Children’s Authority in promoting and supporting children’s development and achievement of well-being from the period of pregnancy up to the age of eight.
Dr. Ammar Al-Banna said the event achieved most of its goals and was widely appreciated, managing to attract important expertise and experiences that helped enrich the discussion on children’s mental health. This success would not have been possible without the strong support and generous patronage of wise leadership and numerous public and private sector institutions and organizations.
He added, “This event helped showcase the efforts of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and its continued support in the treatment of mental disorders, and its role in enriching discussions aimed at promoting mental health.”
Dr Daniel Fung, President of the International Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, said: “The objectives of the conference were achieved, particularly those related to initiating constructive discussions about mental health services for young people in the region. The The conference also helped highlight the efforts of many organizations around the world for mental illness prevention, support and empowerment of people with mental disorders, care and rehabilitation.
In a related context, the conference covered a wide range of topics, including recent developments in psychological rehabilitation and initiatives by public and private sector partners and stakeholders.
Dr. Fung expressed his thanks and appreciation to Al Jalila, appreciating his role in holding such important events, which paves the way for successful and effective communication among industry experts, which brings many gains and positives .
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– it’s over –