The ability to nurture and care for others is a quality that comes naturally to Dr Nahida Ahmed.
Dr Ahmed says a good mother is one who encourages you to become your best self — the attributes that are also needed by a therapist or psychiatrist.
Both make sure the people under their care get the warmth and emotional connectedness that are key to living a happy life.
“My roles are an extension of one another”, said Dr Ahmed. She is the chairwoman of the Behavioural Health Council at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) and also serves as the chairwoman of the Mental Health Task Force at Abu Dhabi's Department of Health.
“It’s all about caring for people and supporting them to do better.”
Dr Ahmed’s passion for giving back is one of the main drivers behind the work she does.
Mental health support for all
The Emirati author and lecturer has taken on implementing mental health reforms across the UAE and fighting the stigma that surrounds mental health.
Under her supervision earlier this year, the Department of Health successfully integrated mental health check-ups within primary care services at public clinics in the capital.
This aligns with her personal and professional vision to normalise mental health awareness and create a holistic model for treatment.
Under this initiative, patients in Abu Dhabi are evaluated for mental wellness with a simple checklist. They are then either given a diagnosis and treated by primary care providers or referred for more specialised help, if needed.
“Primary care providers are those who own your health records, and whether you have a cold or have depression, they can be your guide to get the proper help”, said Dr Ahmed.
“Training primary care providers to understand the symptoms, diagnose the situation and assess the needed next steps is part of our holistic model.”
About 100 medics in Abu Dhabi were trained to assess and diagnose mental health problems and 450 medical professionals were trained in suicide prevention when the initiative was rolled out in January.
Dr Ahmed said the initiative was welcomed by the public.
“There is a noticeable change in perception of mental health in the UAE”, she said.
“Across different ages, the stigma surrounding mental well-being is dwindling and people are understanding that it’s an illness that can affect everybody, with no shame.
“There is nothing more gratifying than changing someone’s trajectory in life. That in itself is magical and fuels me every day.”
Working with the younger generation
Another woman who is working for the welfare of the younger generation is Dr Vedrana Mladina, clinical psychologist and associate director of counselling at New York University Abu Dhabi.
“I love working with students and young people”, said Dr Mladina. “The seeds of empowerment you plant in them today are what you sow in the near future”.
Through her role at the university, Dr Mladina oversees outreach programmes and initiatives that aim to simplify mental health for students and teach them that little things can make a difference.
“The simplicity makes it doable”, she told The National. “It reminds them of the small things they can do to feel and be better, and it’s more likely to stick with them long-term.”
Not only does the university organise educational campaigns for the students, but it also gives them the space to present their ideas on how to improve mental health and suggest resources they would like to have.
“When you listen to what they have to say, you see you can learn from young people as much as they learn from you”, said Dr Mladina.
“It [Abu Dhabi] is one of the few places in the world where we have the appropriate channels, tools and support to boost mental health."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
more from Janine di Giovanni
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
