MINDS MATTER 2026 – Student Wellbeing & Student Voice at BIS Abu Dhabi

MINDS MATTER, our Mental Health & Wellbeing Exhibition at BIS Abu Dhabi, which is recognised across Abu Dhabi for its strong student wellbeing and pastoral care, exceeded expectations this year. What began as a simple awareness initiative has evolved into a powerful, student led platform for reflection, dialogue, and meaningful change within our school communitty.

250 students from Years 5–12 led or contributed to assemblies,classroom presentations, and exhibition displays.

Student Led Identity: “Minds Matter”

When planning began, our Mental Health Ambassadors were invited to design a tagline and logo that captured the heart of the event. They chose “Minds Matter.” And indeed, minds do matter. Their leadership set the tone for an exhibition grounded in empathy, courage, and student agency.

 “Presenting ‘What is Mental Health?’ was a meaningful experience. It showed me how important it is to talk openly about wellbeing, and seeing students genuinely engaged made me feel proud.”
— Zahra, Year 10, Mental Health Ambassador

Primary (Years 5–6): Building Foundations for Wellbeing

Primary students explored managing big feelings, naming emotions, healthy eating, sleep, growth vs fixed mindset, ADHD, anxiety, social media influence, screen time and the brain, vaping & addictions, and exercise for emotional health. Beyond the content, what stood out was their ability to explain complex ideas simply and compassionately, reminding us that mental health education can and should begin early.

Secondary: Deeper Conversations, Practical Strategies

Secondary students deepened the dialogue with sensitive, evidence informed topics. To improve readability, we’ve grouped their work into clear themes:

• Anxiety & panic strategies (including grounding techniques)
• Emotional intelligence & self awareness
• Body image, bullying & cyberbullying
• Digital wellbeing: social media use & prolonged screen time
• Healthy routines: sleep, nutrition & exercise
• Substance awareness: vaping, alcohol & drugs
• Neurodiversity & mental health: autism, ADHD, broader neurodivergence
• Trauma & coping: PTSD, grief & loss
• Stress management & de stressing techniques
• Help seeking & peer support: where to go, who to ask

“One standout moment was hearing a student explain that people don’t need to change — our systems do, so everyone can thrive. A parent also shared how valuable the students’ advice on panic attacks was, wishing she’d had this clarity when she was younger.”
— Alan Cocker, Principal

Their presentations reflected thoughtful research, personal insight, and a genuine awareness of the challenges young people face today.

What Matters Most: Conversations Around the Boards

The true impact of MINDS MATTER lies not only in the information on display, but in the conversations that unfold around it. It is the student who quietly asks a follow up question; the peer who says, “I didn’t know that, that makes sense.” Topics once whispered behind closed doors are discussed openly and respectfully. These moments may seem small, but they are powerful.

“I was genuinely impressed by how many students were involved. The room felt vibrant and purposeful, with students confidently sharing their work on such an important topic.”
— Hannah Kelly, Head of Year 8

Empowering Peer Support, Strengthening Culture

A core aim of MINDS MATTER is to empower peer support and strengthen our whole school culture of care. Young people often open up to one another before approaching an adult. By equipping students with the knowledge and language to talk about mental health, we are building a community where every young person feels heard, supported, and valued.

Partnership with Families

These conversations should not stop at the school gates. When dialogue begins in school and continues at home, it reduces stigma, deepens understanding, and helps protect wellbeing, together. We encourage families to use the exhibition as a springboard for age appropriate, ongoing conversations.

Pride in Progress and Purpose

Each year, the exhibition grows, not just in numbers, but in depth, maturity, and impact. We are incredibly proud of our students for leading these conversations and for contributing to a school environment where wellbeing is prioritised and protected.

This exhibition was not just an event, it was a movement. Student voice matters. Conversations matter. And above all, Minds Matter.

Learn More & Get Support

• Wellbeing at BIS Abu Dhabi – Read more about our approach and activities through the articles linked below.

• Meet our Counselling Team – Contact our Counselling Team in case of further questions: Liz Ann Matthew (lizann.mathew@bisad.ae) and Tinotenda Maziwisa (tinotenda.maziwisa@bisad.ae).

• To support conversations at home about the current events in the UAE, you may find this guide by Educational and Child Psychologist Dr Kayleigh Sumner helpful. It offers simple, age appropriate ways to talk with children about difficult events:

👉 Helping Children Understand the Current Situation in the UAE – A Parent’s Guide

• Our school counsellor Liz Ann Matthew was also recently featured in WhichSchoolAdvisor discussing student wellbeing in the UAE, another helpful perspective for parents. 

👉 “Structured & Supportive”: UAE Schools Start Online Learning Amid Conflict