Emirates Health Services launches Mental Health Month under the theme ‘Stronger Together: Awareness That Supports, a Community That Embraces’

Emirates Health Services (EHS), represented by its Mental Health Department, is organizing Mental Health Month activities throughout October 2026 under the theme ‘Stronger Together: Awareness That Supports, a Community That Embraces’, in line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Family’ initiative.

The comprehensive program of awareness, educational, community, and professional initiatives and events aims to strengthen mental health awareness, promote prevention and early detection, and support the role of families and the community in creating a more inclusive environment that fosters mental wellbeing and quality of life.

His Excellency Dr Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Medical Services Sector at EHS, affirmed that Mental Health Month reflects EHS’s commitment to positioning mental health as a core component of a holistic healthcare system, noting that it also supports the shift from addressing mental health challenges after they arise to a more comprehensive approach focused on prevention, awareness, and early intervention.

Dr Al Zarooni explained that the diversity and broad scope of the events, which cater to individuals, families, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, and the wider community, help build a more integrated support system and strengthen society’s ability to recognize psychological needs and respond to them in a timely manner. This, he added, supports quality of life and embodies the concept of people-centered care.

For her part Dr Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, said: “The Mental Health Month program was designed to ensure its activities reach diverse groups across healthcare and education sectors, as well as the wider community. It aims to create spaces for dialogue about mental health free from stereotypes.”

This year’s focus on the family stems from its pivotal role in prevention, noting early changes, and supporting the recovery journey, she revealed, adding that the event also serves to improve knowledge of how to seek help and access specialized services. Dr Almheiri affirmed that the program combines raising community awareness, developing skills among professionals in the field, and using innovation and modern technologies to advance mental health services.

The program for Mental Health Month features a wide range of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, sports activities, customer councils, and interactive initiatives hosted at healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and community venues. This broadens public outreach and makes mental health awareness part of the daily lives of individuals and families.

A key part of the program focuses on prevention, early detection, and strengthening psychological skills. Topics include anxiety management, emotional intelligence, emotional balance, and positive mental health practices, as well as positive parenting, depression and anxiety in children and adolescents, postpartum depression, and eating and sleep disorders. A number of activities are also dedicated to supporting the mental health of senior citizens and addressing their needs.

In line with the ‘Year of Family’, the family takes canter-stage in the program through the ‘Recovery Journey’ forum, which highlights the family’s role in prevention, early detection, and supporting individuals throughout treatment and recovery. On the same note, activities include the ‘Future of the Emirati Family’ exhibition at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, along with a range of activities that allow patients and their families to share their experiences and stories, thereby promoting a culture of inclusion and underscoring the importance of family support in achieving better health and psychological wellbeing.

Furthermore, the program featured specialized workshops designed to enable healthcare professionals to develop their skills. The sessions focused on core psychiatric skills for non-specialist physicians and referral criteria, handling psychiatric emergencies, and the steps required before referring a patient to a psychiatrist. The workshops support early detection and strengthen integration between mental health services and all areas of healthcare.

Mental Health Month also includes programs and workshops for government and academic institutions, covering early detection of mental disorders, priority management for teaching staff, and strengthening psychological safety in the workplace. These contribute to building educational and professional environments that are more aware of individuals’ needs and better equipped to address them.

On the topics of innovation and modern technologies, the program spotlights the ‘Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry’ initiative at Kuwait Hospital Sharjah, customer council on digital transformation and artificial intelligence at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, and an exhibition on AI-powered autism detection as part of the Accessibilities Expo. These activities reflect a drive to explore modern applications that can support diagnosis and enhance the care experience.

The program also includes the launch of the Mental Health Ambassadors program and customer councils on mental health services at several EHS hospitals, in an effort to strengthen direct engagement with community members; note their experiences, needs, and aspirations; and use their feedback to continuously improve services.

Community participation features prominently throughout the month, with the ‘Creativity and Recovery’ exhibition showcasing patients’ artwork, as well as the ‘Healing Through Art’ lecture, ‘Mental Health for All’ marathon on the Khorfakkan Corniche, and the women’s sports championship for mental health. Together, these events provide diverse spaces for community engagement and communicate messages to highlight and promote mental health through art, sports, and shared activities.

On 29 October, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital will host the ‘Amal Speaks’ ceremony, where patients and their families will share and be honoured for their experiences and stories. The event will highlight the recovery journey and the impact that family and community support can have on individuals’ lives, while amplifying the voices of those with lived experience to spread awareness and foster a closer, more realistic understanding of mental health.

Emirates Health Services will conclude the month’s activities with the International Mental Health Conference, bringing together leading global experts and specialists to discuss the latest scientific developments, emerging trends, and treatment services in psychiatry.

The conference facilitates the exchange of expertise in developing mental healthcare models; strengthening integration between scientific knowledge, clinical practice, and innovation; and supporting efforts to elevate mental health services and sustain their impact on society.