World Congress: Mental health fundamental right for everyone

The importance of positive culture for young people

Speaking about the importance of creating a positive culture and relationships for young people, Cathy Duncan, a behavior specialist and trainer at Crisis Prevention Institute in Dubai, emphasised the need for adults to champion every young person's potential for growth. She highlighted that emotional, psychological, and relational safety are crucial, stating that if one young person feels unsafe, it jeopardizes the entire group.

Core principles of practice

Duncan introduced the concept of “practitioner as intervention,” stressing that how practitioners interact with young people is more critical than the strategies used. She outlined five core principles of practice: consistent and calm adult behavior, sustainable routines, positive attention to good conduct, planned non-confrontational interventions, and restorative approaches after negative incidents.

The role of families in protecting dignity

Dr Amani Shabaan Shokr, a specialist psychologist with the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), discussed the vital role families play in protecting the dignity of children with disabilities. She noted that psychological safety is influenced by societal culture, legislation, inclusive education, health services, and the kindness shown within supportive institutions, praising Sharjah's efforts in this regard.

Building self-confidence in children

Dr Sarah Al Amiri, also associated with SCHS, highlighted the importance of improving self-confidence in children with developmental disorders. She shared that supporting positive behavior and parents is crucial, as parental psychology directly affects children. She recounted the success story of a girl who overcame self-harming behavior through therapy and became active in her classroom.

Teaching values through storytelling

Dr Walaa Al Ahmed from SCHS discussed how storytelling can teach children good values and improve concentration and confidence. She mentored children with disabilities to create their own storybooks, showcasing their personalities. She presented an illustrated book by 15-year-old Ali Ziad, whose journey reflects the experiences of raising a child with an intellectual disability and his aspiration to become a businessman.

World Congress 2025: A platform for inclusion

The World Congress 2025 “We Are Inclusion” continues in Sharjah until September 17, gathering over 500 participants from 74 countries, including 152 speakers. This event, hosted in the MENA region for the first time, serves as a leading platform to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities, co-organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services and Inclusion International, with support from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.