MOI Holds Mental Health Forum 2026 Under the Theme "A Cohesive Family… A Stable and Safe Community"
Represented by the Federal Social Support Department of the General Directorate for Community Protection and Crime Prevention, the Ministry of Interior held the Mental Health Forum 2026 under the theme "A Cohesive Family… A Stable and Safe Community." The event coincided with World Mental Health Day and was attended by Major General Salem Ali Mubarak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Resources and Support Services, along with police officials, academics, university faculty members, and students from universities and colleges.
The forum sought to highlight the importance of mental health, promote preventive awareness and psychological support across society, and underscore the family's central role in maintaining social stability and strengthening community security. It also aimed to empower young people and encourage them to develop innovative ideas and initiatives that contribute to improving quality of life.
A number of academic institutions took part in the forum, including Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates University, and Fatima College of Health Sciences. The involvement of psychology students and academic staff reflected efforts to deepen cooperation between security and educational institutions and give young people an active role in developing community-based preventive initiatives. The program included an educational video presentation on mental health, interactive discussions that encouraged the exchange of knowledge and experience, and presentations of innovative youth-led initiatives. An accompanying exhibition featured student projects and research on mental health, demonstrating their creativity and contributions to promoting awareness, prevention, and community support.
In his address, Brigadier Dr. Saif Salem Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Deputy Director General of Community Protection and Crime Prevention, described mental health as a cornerstone of family and societal stability, as well as an essential factor in quality of life and community security. He highlighted the role of educational institutions in enhancing well-balanced individuals, detecting psychological and behavioral challenges at an early stage, and promoting a culture in which seeking psychological support is encouraged.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Interior's commitment to expanding cooperation and strengthening institutional ties with educational and academic institutions, recognizing them as key partners in community prevention and youth protection. He also stressed the importance of taking a proactive approach by anticipating potential challenges and providing timely support to limit their consequences and preserve social stability.
He added that the forum provides an opportunity for security, social, and educational institutions to exchange expertise and strengthen cooperation. He stressed the need to turn the ideas and recommendations generated into lasting preventive initiatives with tangible benefits for society. Investing in mental health, he noted, is an investment in people, while raising awareness remains fundamental to building a safer and more stable society.
For his part, Colonel Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Sabeaan Al Tunaiji, Director of the Federal Social Support Department, said the forum reflects the Ministry of Interior's commitment to advancing community prevention and strengthening institutional integration. This approach recognizes that strong family ties underpin societal stability and, in turn, reinforce national security.
He noted that His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, had designated 2026 as the "Year of the Family," reaffirming the family's prominent place among the priorities of the UAE's wise leadership. The designation highlights the need for concerted efforts and coordinated national initiatives to strengthen family cohesion and stability, as safeguarding families means safeguarding the nation's future and generations to come.
He explained that the forum also reflects the "integrative philosophy" advocated by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. This philosophy is founded on complementary institutional roles, coordinated efforts, and teamwork in pursuit of common objectives and service to the community.
Colonel Al Tunaiji also praised the student trainees who contributed to preparing and organizing the forum. He explained that the Federal Social Support Department had provided training opportunities to more than 27 students from five colleges and universities across the UAE. The program covered social and psychological work, social innovation, tolerance, and coexistence, equipping participants with practical skills and enabling them to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings.
He added that the students' involvement in organizing the forum and presenting their own projects and research demonstrated the confidence placed in their abilities and potential. Their participation also reflects the Ministry's commitment to developing young national talent and empowering them to help shape and deliver community-focused initiatives.
Al Tunaiji concluded by emphasizing that the Ministry of Interior's responsibilities extend beyond law enforcement to protecting individuals, safeguarding society, and preventing crime. Prevention, he stressed, begins within the family, as community security is firmly rooted in family stability. Protecting families and supporting their psychological well-being is therefore a shared responsibility that calls for coordinated efforts across security, educational, and social institutions.
