SSSD launches “Ulfa” sessions to promote family reassurance

Dr Eman Al Zarooni affirmed that organising these sessions comes as part of the department’s efforts to support families and empower them to deal with contemporary challenges, especially amid the large flow of news and information through media outlets and social media platforms. She noted that this flow may have psychological and social effects on children and adolescents.

Al Zarooni explained that the “Ulfa” sessions provide an interactive dialogue platform that brings specialists together with members of the community to share insights and experiences that help build a family environment based on reassurance, trust, and positive communication among family members.

Discussion topics

The session addressed several key topics. Fatima Al Marzouqi highlighted the role of parents in building a reassuring family environment, stressing the importance of conveying feelings of reassurance to children during times of concern or when troubling news circulates. She also emphasised the need to manage family discussions in a conscious manner that strengthens trust and limits the negative impact of news on children’s psychological wellbeing.

Bushra Al Ali discussed the impact of fast-spreading news on children’s mental wellbeing, explaining that children may be influenced by circulating information without fully understanding its context. She stressed the importance of families explaining information in a simplified and reassuring manner, in addition to using supportive activities that help children express their feelings and feel safe and stable.

For her part, Maryam Saeed Al Muhairi focused on the importance of enhancing youth awareness when dealing with news and information. She stressed the need to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it, particularly given the strong influence of social media in shaping public opinion and spreading social anxiety. She also highlighted the positive role young people can play in promoting digital awareness and fostering a culture of responsibility in sharing information.

Knowledge and psychological support for families and society

This session forms part of a series of dialogue sessions organised by the department to support families and the community both intellectually and psychologically. The initiative aims to enhance awareness on how to deal with contemporary social and media challenges, contributing to the strengthening of cohesive family environments characterised by safety and reassurance.