- 4% link psychological stability to a greater willingness to innovate, take initiative and explore new ideas.
- 7% say good mental health supports achievement, decision-making and the ability to cope with study and work pressures.
- Released on World Mental Health Day, the study sets out five priorities for strengthening institutional support.
Fatima Al Hallami: Supporting young people means addressing the pressures they face and involving them in shaping solutions.
For immediate release
Abu Dhabi, 10 October 2026
The Arab Youth Center (AYC) has released a study showing that 94.8% of participants view youth mental health as a shared responsibility across educational institutions, workplaces, families and young people themselves. Released on World Mental Health Day, the study calls for closer coordination between these groups to strengthen support throughout young people’s education, careers and daily lives.
Titled “Mental Health Among Arab Youth: A Development Framework for Readiness and Well-Being 2026,” the study examines how mental health relates to young people’s ability to learn, work, build relationships and contribute to their communities. It identifies career uncertainty, family expectations and digital pressures among the factors shaping well-being, and proposes five priorities for institutional action.
The findings show that 97.4% of participants associate a sense of safety and psychological stability with a greater willingness to innovate, take initiative and explore new ideas. A further 95.7% believe good mental health supports achievement, decision-making and the ability to cope with academic and workplace pressures. The study also recorded a psychological and social well-being index score of 86.4 among participants.
The research combined a survey of 100 young men and women from different Arab countries with 11 discussion sessions involving approximately 107 young participants. It also drew on six in-depth interviews with Arab experts in mental health, public health, youth development, family affairs, education and life skills, alongside a review of relevant research, policies and practices.
Eng. Fatima Al Hallami, Executive Director of AYC, said: “Preparing young people for the future requires us to understand the conditions that help them move forward with confidence. Education and employment opportunities, clear career pathways and supportive relationships all influence their mental health and ability to fulfil their ambitions. We have a responsibility to help young people manage pressure, address the factors behind it and give them a direct role in designing programmes that meet their needs.”
She added: “The UAE places investment in people at the heart of sustainable development, with youth empowerment and quality of life central to this approach. At the Arab Youth Center, we work with partners across the region to connect institutional efforts and develop opportunities and supportive environments that enable young people to make informed decisions, take initiative and contribute to their communities.”
Career clarity and confidence in the future
The study highlights the importance of a clear outlook on the future, particularly around employment, income, financial independence and the prospect of building a stable life. Uncertain career pathways, changing labour market requirements and fear of failure or rejection were identified as pressures accompanying the transition from education to employment.
It recommends integrating psychological support with academic and career guidance to help young people understand their options, manage expectations and build confidence as they enter the workforce.
Participants associated good mental health with the ability to concentrate, achieve goals, sustain supportive relationships and plan ahead. They also linked it to managing everyday responsibilities while maintaining a sense of control, belonging and purpose.
Support at home and online
The study examines the influence of family and social environments, with particular attention to adolescence as a formative period for identity, self-confidence, emotional regulation and decision-making.
Families provide an essential source of security and belonging. However, limited dialogue, high expectations and frequent comparisons with others can create additional pressure. The study also identifies social stigma as a continuing barrier to seeking help, despite greater awareness and openness around mental health.
Digital platforms offer access to information, shared experiences and initial support, but can also intensify social comparison and anxiety and disrupt concentration and sleep. The study recommends strengthening digital resilience and critical thinking, and developing trusted Arabic-language platforms with reliable content, initial assessment tools, support services and safe referral pathways.
A framework for youth well-being
The study identifies four interconnected foundations for well-being: self-awareness and life skills; close support networks and safe relationships; clear education and career pathways; and the role of values, community and media in strengthening identity and supportive environments.
These foundations inform a framework covering psychological stability, belonging and relationships, purpose and meaning, and achievement. The framework considers whether young people feel secure, have people they can turn to, see a clear direction for their lives and can make progress towards their goals.
Five priorities for institutional action
Based on the findings, AYC calls for psychological and social well-being to be incorporated more fully into policies and programmes covering youth, education, employment, families and quality of life. It advocates coordinated support across schools, universities, workplaces, families, health services, digital platforms and civil society.
The study sets out five priorities: recognising mental health as a foundation for development; creating a more integrated support system; strengthening prevention and life, social and emotional skills; improving tools to measure and monitor well-being; and clarifying institutional responsibilities and coordination.
It also recommends giving young people a formal role in designing programmes, policies, platforms and well-being indicators, ensuring that support reflects their experiences and responds to the challenges they face.
The study forms part of AYC’s work to understand the factors shaping young people’s lives across the Arab world and equip institutions with insights and tools to develop more responsive policies and programmes.