Abu dhabi: The SAKINA Integrated Mental Health Conference (SIMC-2026) opened on Friday in Abu Dhabi. Organised by SEHA, a subsidiary of the PureHealth Group, the two-day conference is being held at the Conrad Etihad Towers Hotel.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference, themed 'From Insight to Impact: Driving the Future of Mental Health,' aims to translate scientific research, clinical best practices, and lived experiences into practical, measurable outcomes in mental health care. It gathers government entities, healthcare authorities, specialists, academics, policymakers, and healthcare leaders to enhance cross-sector collaboration and drive system-wide impact.
The SIMC-2026 conference seeks to reaffirm integrated mental health as a national priority and a foundation for societal well-being. Discussions are set to focus on innovation, equity, sustainability, and delivering compassionate, outcomes-driven care. The event emphasizes the importance of coordinated action across healthcare, policy, academia, and community sectors.
In her opening address, Sheikha Hamda bint Khalifa Al Nahyan, SAKINA's Ambassador for Strategic Initiatives, highlighted the strength of nations being built by their people and adherence to family values and ethics. She noted that investing in human well-being is central to stability and prosperity. Sheikha Hamda explained that naming 2026 as the 'Year of the Family' reflects the wise leadership's belief that nation-building starts at home. She affirmed that since the era of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has placed human well-being and quality of life at the core of its national development.
Dr. Zain Alyafei, Chief Executive Officer of SAKINA, commented on the importance of collective responsibility across all sectors to achieve sustainable national mental health goals. He stated that SAKINA provides a platform to enhance coordination between government entities, healthcare providers, and community partners to develop resilient and future-ready mental health systems.
Dr. Nahida Ahmed, SIMC-2026 Conference Chair and Chief Medical Officer of SAKINA, emphasized that the conference aims to focus on translating evidence into practice. This effort supports integrated mental health systems that are evidence-based, compassionate, and focused on meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities.
