Women’s Mental Health Awareness Conference 2025

Saturday - November 22, 2025 (12 PM - 1:15 PM UAE Time)

Musa Shaikh

HostBerkeley
H.E. Aarefa Saleh Al FalahiBoard MemberRAK Chamber of Commerce
Fareeha LaiqueRegional DirectorBerkeley Middle East Holding
Dr. Noor ul Zaman RafiqChairpersonPhoenix Foundation for Research & Development (PFRD)
Professor Dr. Yasmin SardarCEOThe GMS Solution

Mental health is essential for overall well-being, yet stigma and lack of awareness often prevent proper care. This event aims to educate, support, and empower individuals to prioritize mental wellness. Through guidance, resources, therapy, and community support, we promote resilience, self-care, and emotional strength for a healthier, balanced life.

PREMIUM BREAKOUTS

Understanding Mental Health

Learn the basics of mental health, its importance, and how emotional well being impacts physical health and daily life. Awareness is the first step toward better care and resilience.

Common Mental Health Disorders

Explore conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. Understanding symptoms and causes helps in early recognition and timely professional support.

Stress Management Techniques

Discover effective stress reduction strategies including mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises. Lowering stress improves focus, mood, and overall quality of life.

Therapy and Counseling Options

Access professional support through psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and counseling services tailored to individual needs for improved mental wellness.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Learn practices that enhance self awareness, emotional control, and relaxation. Mindfulness techniques are proven to reduce anxiety and strengthen mental resilience.

Workplace Mental Health

Promote healthy work environments with strategies to reduce burnout, improve employee well-being, and foster mental health awareness at professional settings.

Mental Health in Children and Teens

Early identification of emotional and behavioral issues in young individuals is key. Supportive parenting, school programs, and professional guidance help nurture mental resilience.

Nutrition and Mental Wellness

Discover the link between diet and mental health. Nutrient-rich foods, hydration, and proper eating habits can improve mood, cognitive function, and overall emotional stability.

Digital Tools for Mental Health

Leverage apps, online therapy, and mental wellness platforms to monitor mood, practice mindfulness, and access professional resources anytime, anywhere.

Breaking Stigma and Advocacy

Raise awareness, educate the public, and advocate for mental health rights. Reducing stigma encourages open conversations and promotes timely care for all.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Utilize AI to unlock more value from finance data and processes.

DIGITAL GROWTH

Uncover how technology and digital will impact organizations going forward and how to align strategic growth goals to meet the board’s expectations.

TOPICS YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES, & UNFORGETTABLE TAKEAWAYS.

This is an initiative of Berkeley Middle East which aims at the CEO learning and development; so they can create a difference in the world and contribute towards the society by utilizing their skills with lot of networking and relationship building opportunities.

Keynotes

Our keynotes will provide you access to the most impactful and powerful thought leaders on the program. Hear from high-profile thought leaders and Business Executives as they cover key business trends that are driving the future of work.

Breakfast Briefings

Our breakfast briefings are sessions which give you a chance to get a deeper perspective on a topic and also get the chance to get into debate on the topic. We’ve designed them to provide the chance for open and frank discussions about the current trends and challenges impacting the profession whilst enjoying delicious food in the company of industry colleagues.

Workshops

Choose from workshops; Transform which are carefully designed to provide tangible takeaways and practical toolkits that deliver value and impact in the post-pandemic world.

CoLabs

Our CoLabs focus on a key business challenge. You will be guided through the process in small peer groups using design thinking or agile learning methods. Get to the heart of the issue and develop deeper insights, reach conclusions and formulate recommendations for the future. Our CoLabs give you tangible takeaways to be able to implement immediately into your organisation.

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Lightning Talks

Illuminate us but make it quick! True to its name a lightning talk is a very short presentation on a current topic in a quick, insightful and clear manner.

Thought Exchange Roundtables

Sharing experiences and knowledge are key elements. These roundtable discussions with small groups of peers give you the chance to share perspectives on hot topics and key challenges facing the profession. Have your say on the topics you want to discuss on the day!

InFocus Panels

Our expert panel made up of business thought leaders and executives will share their insights and pioneering research around the future of women. This interactive session looks beyond re-imaging how things are and towards innovating the endless possibilities of what they could be.

Exclusive Masterclass

A masterclass is a means to present a real-world account on a particular topic, situation or event. Led by a speaker with expert knowledge or skills in a particular area these sessions often provide best-practice advice or insight into new or innovative solutions that are forging new paths.

Awards, Certificates & Digital Badges

An exclusive, glamorous affair, where the winner will be recognised for their outstanding contributions.

HOSTED BY

SPONSORED BY

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

OPENING REMARKS & INTRODUCTION

Host

Dr. Musa Shaikh
Berkeley Middle East Holding

Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

  • Royal Family Investment Advisor
  • Berkeleyme & MS Voice of Global Women – Founding Director

Shaikh is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK, and a CGMA from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, an Associate member of the Institute of Financial Accountants, a fellow member of International Accountants. He is a Certified Internal Auditor from the Institue of Internal Audit, Florida, USA, a Certified Information System Auditor, and a Fellow Member of Securities and Investments from CISI, United Kingdom. He is a double graduate in law and business, LLB (Hons) from Buckinghamshire New University UK, a Master in Law from Kings College London, a Master in Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, a Master in Public Administration from Chichester University, He is a Certified Project Management Professional from PMI, USA. He has amazing capabilities to innovate, equipped with deep knowledge of Artificial intelligence, system architecture, and data sciences. He is a certified Amazon AWS Data Analytics and certified Solutions Architecture Professional. He has more than 20 years of experience in leading financial strategies, planning & budgeting, corporate governance, FP&A, VC, Corporate finance, strategies for turnaround, Risk and compliance management, acquisitions for startups & large projects, financial modeling, due diligence, and advise on leading key business complex matters on a global scale.

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Speaker:

H.E. Aarefa Saleh Al Falahi
RAK Chamber of Commerce

Board Member

  • RAK Insurance Company – Board Member
  • Emirates Sports & Cultural Club – Board Member
  • RAK SME Association – Member of the Board
  • RAK Chamber of Commerce Exhibition Committee​ – Chairman
  • Business Industrial Academic Council Committee HCT, UAE – Member
  • Computer Information Sciences Industrial Advisory Committee in HCT, RAK – Member
  • Women on Board Circle (2020) formed by Sh Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan – Member
  • Senior Branch Manager in one of the leading banks in UAE  with total 20 years experience in 3 main leading banks – Vice President

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM

Speaker:

Fareeha Laique
Regional Director

Berkeley Middle East Holding

  • Leading “Voice of Global Women” initiatives, championing programs that empower women and protect, nurture, and uplift children
  • Actively driving social, educational, and healthcare projects that create meaningful and sustainable community impact
  • A strong advocate for inclusion, equity, and access to quality support systems for vulnerable groups
  • Former Clinical Director, Orion ABA Pakistan, with years of hands-on leadership in developmental care
  • Devoted to improving the lives of children with Autism and other special needs, alongside supporting their families
  • Holds professional certifications as a Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) and International Behaviour Therapist (IBT)
  • Strengthened clinical excellence through global collaboration with senior ABA clinicians from the United States
  • Built and led a high-performing clinical team in Pakistan, expanding access to quality therapy and learning opportunities
  • Continues to bridge global expertise with local impact, transforming lives through compassion, leadership, and purpose

12:45 PM – 1:00 PM

Speaker:

Dr Noor ul Zaman Rafiq

Dr. Noor ul Zaman Rafiq
PhDvScholar Epidemiology and Public Health Specialist

Chairperson – Phoenix Foundation for Research & Development (PFRD)

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Health System Strengthening
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Community Development
  • ICAP 1- Treatment
  • ICAP – Recovery Support
  • Public Health Specialist and Epidemiologist
  • Provincial Director, Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning
  • Drugs (SUD) Prevention and Treatment Specialist
  • Global and National Master Trainer, Mental Health
  • Development Consultant
  • Chairperson, Phoenix Foundation for Research and Development, Lahore
  • Director, Safeway Rehabilitation Centre for Substance Use Disorders
  • Technical Consultants, UNODC
  • Vice President Lailmah Khan Foundation
  • Vice President AAS Foundation
  • Director Safeway Special Education & Day Care Center, Lahore
  • Executive Secretary, Goldies Care Foundation
  • Recipient of Various National and International Awards
  • Executive Committee Member, Punjab Climate Action Network
  • Executive Committee Member Door of Awareness
  • President, Rotary Club of Lahore South
  • Published various papers
  • Abstracts Reviewer
  • Visiting Faculty in various academia

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Speaker:

Yasmin

Professor Dr. Yasmin Sardar
MBBS,DGO. MRCOG(London UK), AMRCS (Canada)

CEO – The GMS Solution, Canada

  • Professor of Ob-Gynae & Director of REI
  • Canadian Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and IVF & Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
  • Chief of Ob-Gynae, Director of Women’s Health, & Advisor to Hospital CEOs
  • MRCOG (UK); Fellowship-trained in Maternal Fetal Medicine at King’s College London
  • Advanced IVF and Reproductive Medicine training from leading centres in the UK and Canada
  • Over 15 years of senior consultant and leadership experience across four continents

EVENT TEAM

ImthiyasHameed

Imthiyas Hameed

Group Director Operations

Office: Berkeley Middle East, 25th floor, Sheikh Rashid Tower, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Mobile/ Whatsapp: +971 (0) 58 555 5657 / +971 (0) 58 545 5756

Email: club@berkeleyme.com

What You Need to Know About Us

Berkeleyme & MS Global Women Foundation aims at bringing change in women development. We are striving to create projects which will generate job opportunities for women, great access to health opportunities, and most important is education at the doorstep.

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