There is still a great degree of ignorance and misunderstanding surrounding mental health and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. This is also true for children with learning disabilities or congenital issues such as Down’s syndrome, autism etc. Apart from ignorance, there is still a great deal of stigma attached to these issues, which makes people reluctant to come forward for help. Recently the UAE has been making efforts to tackle mental health issues as well as to offer the differently abled a better chance at life:
This is a voluntary initiative that works towards improving the quality of life for those with mental issues; those who struggle with the “darkness’ of being unhappy and alone. The initiatives work towards removing the stigma that continues to plague our society, to improve mental health, and to make support accessible and effective for sufferers.
On 11 May, at about 4 AM, people gathered at a beach in Abu Dhabi and at three other locations in the UAE, to walk symbolically from “darkness into light”. Around 1,600 people gathered together to show their solidarity for the event. Some of these had lost a loved one to mental illness, some knew others struggling with these conditions and some who are sufferers themselves,
Last year as well, such an event headed by chairperson Maria Kelly raised awareness about mental illnesses.
According to the WHO, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. This is in large part due to the shame and guilt that surrounds mental illnesses; which prevents people from seeking help. This initiative will offer hope to the many who suffer silently – a survey showed that almost one-third of those surveyed experienced mental health issues of some sort and find it difficult to access support.
There is much that a lot of people do not know about the realities of a condition such as Down’s and about the difficulties faced by those with the condition and their families. A new centre has opened up in Dubai for this very reason. The Dubai Down Syndrome Centre was inaugurated by Her Excellency Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development to help kids with Downs as well as their families.
This provides kids with a safe environment within which to learn self-reliance and useful life skills so that they can become active members of society. Children with Downs, who typically find it difficult to learn in regular schools will find specially devised educational facilities for them here.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
