GEMS Education launches The Alternative Alphabet, empowering teens to discuss mental health

GEMS Education launches The Alternative Alphabet, empowering teens to discuss mental health

- Alternative Alphabet builds understanding of language around mental health

- 7 in 10 teens won’t talk to peers about mental health, GEMS research indicates

- 73% of respondents believe more needs to be done to support their wellbeing

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: GEMS Education, one of the world’s largest private K-12 education providers, has joined forces with Thrive Wellbeing Centre by Dr Sarah Rasmi to introduce a free mental health tool called The Alternative Alphabet, which aims to empower young people with an understanding of the language around mental health.

The Alternative Alphabet is backed by a GEMS Education survey of 4,500 UAE-based students aged 10-18 years that shows 42 per cent often feel anxious or stressed, with 73 per cent saying more needs to be done to support them in this important area.

The survey also indicates that, while today’s young people show an increased awareness of mental health issues, seven in 10 won’t speak to friends or classmates about their mental health challenges.

Directly addressing this, The Alternative Alphabet facilitates a deeper understanding of mental health and provides adolescents with essential related skills, allowing them to better identify, define, and discuss the potential challenges they may face.

To facilitate and ease communication around mental