First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for mental health to be given equal importance as physical health, emphasising that there can be no truly healthy society without mental wellbeing.
She made the remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th International Conference of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation, held at the Maldives National University. The two-day conference is taking place on 1 and 2 November 2026.
The First Lady affirmed that mental health is not simply a matter of medicine, but a matter of human dignity, human connection, and the quality of life a society wishes to build for present and future generations. She noted that mental health challenges are becoming increasingly visible across the region, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, and that for many, the greatest difficulty lies not only in the condition itself but in the silence, fear of judgement, and hesitation to seek help that surround it. She called for societies in which seeking support is recognised as an act of courage rather than weakness, and where compassion and understanding replace stigma.
Speaking as a mother, the First Lady expressed particular concern for the emotional and psychological wellbeing of children and young people, citing the strain that academic pressures, societal expectations, family difficulties, and online influences can place on young minds. She emphasised the importance of recognising signs of distress, listening without judgement, and responding with care, adding that the responsibility to help young people build emotional strength and resilience begins at home and extends through schools and communities.
Highlighting the Maldives’ efforts, the First Lady noted that the Government has given greater attention to mental health as part of the national health agenda. She pointed to the National Mental Health Strategic Action Plan 2025 to 2029, which focuses on reducing stigma, encouraging early help-seeking, improving referral systems, and integrating mental health into primary healthcare, as well as the role of the National Mental Health Department and the dedicated 24-hour mental health helpline. She stressed that progress must ultimately be measured by lives improved and hope restored, and that no individual should be denied timely support simply because of where they live.
The First Lady paid tribute to the dedication of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, nurses, social workers, educators, researchers, and community healthcare professionals, and commended the Maldives National University for strengthening national capacity through education, professional training, and research. She called for further research into the mental health challenges facing children and young people, noting that good mental healthcare requires scientific excellence but must always be delivered with humanity.
Concluding her remarks, the First Lady underscored the importance of regional cooperation, noting that mental health challenges do not recognise national boundaries. She expressed hope that the conference would inspire lasting professional partnerships, collaborative research, and practical initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.