First Lady Sajida calls for end to stigma around mental health at SAARC psychiatric conference

First Lady Sajida Mohamed has called for the eradication of stigma surrounding mental illnesses, stating that seeking mental health support is a sign of courage, not weakness. She made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th International Conference of the SAARC Federation of Psychiatric, held at the Maldives National University on November 1-2, 2026. Addressing the conference, First Lady Sajida emphasised that mental health deserves as much importance as physical health and that a healthy society cannot be built without mental well-being. She noted that mental health challenges are increasing at a regional level, affecting people of all ages and all strata. Highlighting the biggest difficulty faced by many, she said it is not the condition of the illness itself, but the reluctance to speak about it and the fear of how society perceives it. She called for seeking help to be viewed as an act of courage and urged the creation of a community that prioritises pride and empathy over negative perceptions about mental illnesses. Speaking in her capacity as a mother, the First Lady expressed concern over the impact on children and youth's mental health due to reading pressure, societal expectations, family issues, and the influence of the internet. She emphasised the importance of identifying signs of mental fragility in children, listening to their voices without discrimination, and assisting them with care. She stated that the responsibility for strengthening youth mental health begins within the home and extends to schools and the entire community. The First Lady noted that significant attention has been given to mental health under the government's health agenda. She highlighted efforts under the National Mental Health Strategic Action Plan (2025-2029), including reducing stigma, encouraging early help-seeking, strengthening the referral system, and including mental treatment among general health services. She also drew attention to the role of the National Mental Health Department and the 24-hour helpline service. Concluding her speech, First Lady Sajida noted that mental illnesses do not stop at national borders and stressed the importance of enhancing regional cooperation. She expressed hope that the conference would foster permanent connections among experts and bring positive changes through collaborative research and practical work.