In the vibrant mosaic of cultures that define the United Arab Emirates, expatriate families from across the globe come together, seeking opportunities and a unique lifestyle. Within this diverse population, teenagers face a unique set of challenges.
Devika Mankani, the Chief Positive Psychologist at Fortes Education, is a leading figure in positive psychology. With over 16 years of experience in mental health, she guides the psychological well-being of students and families at Fortes Education, helping them build flourishing relationships. She uses an integrated method of humanistic, cognitive, and behavioural therapies and is rooted in the belief that every individual has the potential to lead a fulfilling life. She is dedicated to helping students and families unlock this potential.
Adjusting to a new country can be a tumultuous experience for many, particularly adolescents who are navigating a critical phase of their personal development. The recent spotlight on teen mental health within these communities has ignited crucial conversations about the vulnerabilities and pressures faced by young expatriates. Addressing these issues with sensitivity and fostering a supportive environment to ensure their well-being is matter of urgent attention.
Understanding the Unique Pressures on Expatriate Teens
Expatriate teenagers juggle the universal struggles of adolescence against a backdrop of cultural adaptation and transient lifestyles. The initial excitement of living in an international setting is often shadowed by feelings of isolation, identity issues, and cultural dissonance. In a nation where expatriates form a majority of the resident population, these experiences are becoming commonplace, yet frequently overlooked. Living in a foreign country can entail significant emotional upheaval. The mental health of teens in such settings demands attention and understanding. The lack of a stable support network, compounded by the pressure to adapt to a new and often vastly different environment, can lead to significant distress.
The additional layer of academic and social expectations can further aggravate feelings of anxiety and depression, making it imperative that these concerns are neither minimised nor dismissed. Adolescence is a seriously impressionable developmental period that is brimming with significant yet confusing physical, emotional, and social changes. During these formative years, teens are particularly sensitive to environmental stresses. Emotional and behavioural issues might not always be apparent to parents or teachers, as teens are often reticent about their struggles. The recent unfortunate incidents around us underscore the need to understand that teen mental health can often manifest in ways that might prompt extreme actions, such as running away from home.
Shifting the Narrative on Mental Health
Historically, mental health discussions have been shrouded in stigma, particularly in multicultural contexts where perceptions of mental illness vary significantly. This stigma often ends up deterring teens from seeking the help they need as it engulfs them by fear of judgment or misunderstanding. Consequently, emotional and behavioural issues end up going unnoticed until they manifest in more aggravated ways. These are possibly symptomatic of deeper issues like anxiety, depression, or unresolved conflict.
To counteract this, there needs to be a concentrated effort to normalise mental health discussions, ensuring that they are as integral to our conversations as physical health, for instance. Schools, as central community hubs, play a pivotal role in this transformation. By weaving mental health education into their curriculum, schools can uncomplicate mental health issues, thereby nudging and encouraging students to speak openly about their experiences and seek support without hesitation. We need to cultivate conducive environments where teens feel safe to express their fears and challenges without judgment.
Building a Supportive Ecosystem
Creating a nurturing environment for expatriate teens involves a multi-faceted approach that bridges schools, homes, and the wider community. Schools and other academic institutions need to realise the need to be equipped with culturally sensitive and adolescent-friendly counselling services that respect the diverse backgrounds of their students.
These services need to extend beyond the school gates, integrating into community centers and online platforms where teens spend much of their time. At home, parents can do wonders by fostering open communication by actively engaging in their children’s lives, showing empathy, and being receptive to their struggles. Workshops and resources for parents can equip them with the skills to support their children effectively and identify signs of distress early on. Such initiatives can considerably help mitigate feelings of isolation, providing youths with a network of peers and adults they can relate to and trust.
Towards a Future of Understanding and Support
By acknowledging the unique pressures these youths face and dismantling the barriers to mental health support, we can pave the way for a future where no young person feels alone in their struggle. Ensuring the mental well-being of expatriate teens is more than a matter of policy—it compels us for a commitment to understanding, empathy, and action that must be embraced by all sectors of society. It becomes our moral duty in a way to try and ensure that every adolescent, regardless of their background or circumstances, genuinely feels that they have the support and resources they need to thrive.
The recent troubling events in the UAE’s expatriate community call for a compassionate, informed response. As a society, our ability to safeguard our youth starts with understanding and addressing their mental health needs proactively and effectively. This not only helps in preventing such incidents but also supports the overall development of a more resilient youth population. Looking ahead, it has become imperative to be guided by a deep sense of inclusivity and support, recognising that caring for our youth’s mental health is the foundation of a strong, resilient community. The conversation does not end here; it’s only just begun.