Minister of 'Social Affairs': Child Care Requires a Safe Family and Social Environment
Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail and Director of the Awareness Center Dr. Badriya Al-Qumlas affirmed during the 2026 Mental Health Forum that providing a safe family and social environment and play are essential for the healthy psychological and social development of children.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, affirmed that attention to a child’s mental health begins with providing a safe family and social environment that allows for expression, interaction, learning, and growth in an atmosphere of acceptance and support. She emphasized the importance of enhancing family and societal awareness of the role of play in a child’s psychological, social, and cognitive development.
This statement was made by Al-Huwail during her speech at the Mental Health Forum and the Second Exhibition of the Ministry of Social Affairs for 2026, held under her patronage on Monday, under the theme “Play is Life… When Play Becomes a Language for Learning and Growth.”
Al-Huwail stated that the choice of the forum’s topic reflects the Ministry’s belief that childhood represents the foundation upon which a person’s character and future are built. She explained that, for a child, play is not merely a means of entertainment, but a natural language for expressing emotions, self-discovery, skill development, and relationship building.
She commended the efforts of the Awareness and Counseling Center, affiliated with the General Administration of Social Care in the Social Care and Development Sector, in organizing the forum, which included scientific sessions, training workshops, and a parallel exhibition, all contributing to raising awareness about childhood issues and mental health.
She appreciated the support and partnership of the Tanmia Charitable Association in the success of the forum and its contribution to supporting community initiatives focused on childhood, family, and mental health, affirming that partnerships with civil society organizations are a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable impact and serving the community.
Al-Huwail expressed her hope that the forum would yield recommendations and practices that contribute to enhancing the quality of services provided to children and families, and that its message reaches every household. She stressed that “moments of play with our children may be among the most important moments through which we build their sense of security, belonging, and trust.”
For her part, Dr. Badriya Al-Qumelas, Acting Director of the Awareness and Counseling Center at the Ministry of Social Affairs, affirmed that caring for a child begins with meeting their psychological and social needs and providing a safe, supportive environment that allows them to express themselves and their feelings. She noted that play is among the foremost means that contribute to a child’s learning, skill development, enhanced communication, personality building, and relationship with others.
Al-Qumelas stated that organizing the forum stems from the Center’s belief in the importance of providing a suitable environment for children. She explained that the event’s activities focused on delivering diverse scientific and practical content through specialized sessions addressing the role of play in enhancing mental health, its impact on brain development, and the family’s role in utilizing play to build positive communication and relationships with children.
