PHOTO
Mental health issues tackled with help of pupil mentorship at GEMS Metropole
Students at GEMS Modern Academy launch web platform to help relieve stress
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Trained GEMS Education school students are working alongside experts to offer mental health advice to any peers who are struggling. The initiative is inspired by the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 adopted by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
One such programme is being carried out at GEMS Metropole School titled ‘Teen-to-Teen Mental Health First Aiders’ (MHFA) where students provide confidential one-to-one sessions to help mentor their peers who are encountering difficulties under the supervision of the school counsellors as well as trained staff. All mentors have completed the Teen Mental Health First Aid training through Lighthouse Arabia, a leading centre for wellbeing.
Naveed Iqbal, Principal/CEO at GEMS Metropole School, said: “2020 will be remembered as one of the most testing ever for the mental wellbeing of students, with many struggling to adapt to the many challenges that the pandemic brought with it. MHFA has already proven to be a great success among students, where many often feel more comfortable sharing concerns with their peers, while others can relate better to anxiety and stress and are volunteering to help their colleagues.”
Similarly, two Grade 12 students at GEMS Modern Academy, Diya Bansal and Dia Zavery, launched a web platform called ‘Unravelling Thoughts’ (unravellingthoughtsgma.com) where middle and senior school students can anonymously share their thoughts with Lighthouse Arabia-trained student volunteers and school counsellors to help relieve anxieties, concerns, and stress.
Diya Bansal explained: “This unprecedented situation resulted in limited social interactions, increased use of technology as well as students feeling isolated and scared of the unknown. We felt a sounding board was needed now more than ever, with the stressful situations of a ‘new norm’ of education and lifestyle. Our strategy involves listening to struggling students and help them come up with their own solutions.”
Reflecting on the success of the programme, Dia Zavery said: “Having such a platform became of paramount importance so that students are able to freely express themselves and seek help when they needed it. We also launched a series of one-minute videos covering topics such as self-expression, self-affirmations, kindness, anti-bullying, cyber-bullying, academic pressure, interpersonal conflicts, among others.”
Sara Hedger, Vice President - Safeguarding and Child Protection at GEMS Education, said: “GEMS schools had to reimagine schooling in an incredible short period of time, not only from the academic viewpoint but trying to support positive wellbeing for students, parents and staff. Schools very rightly and effectively turned to their students to provide ideas and innovation and help guide the adults to how best they could be supported through the pandemic and sustainably into the future. The resulting wellbeing and mental health programmes that have been co-developed and implemented with students and staff are positively contributing to student wellbeing across the group.”
Other GEMS Education schools that have initiated wellbeing and mental health programmes include, among several, GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis, GEMS FirstPoint School - The Villa, GEMS International School - Al Khail, GEMS Founders School Dubai and GEMS Founders School Al Mizhar.
About GEMS Education
GEMS Education is one of the world’s oldest and largest K-12 private education providers. It is a highly regarded choice for quality private education in the Middle East and North Africa region. As a company founded in the UAE in 1959, it holds an unparalleled track record of providing diverse curricula and educational choices to all socio-economic means. GEMS Education now owns and operates 63 schools and educates over 130,000 students in the MENA region; and through its growing network of schools as well as charitable contributions is fulfilling the founder’s vision of putting a quality education within the reach of every child.
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
