Al Jalila Foundation invites applications for UAE Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

xDUBAI, 20th March, 2017 (WAM) -- Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced yesterday the opening of applications for the second cycle of the UAE Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, RCJF. In partnership with The Carter Centre, the programme was launched in the UAE in 2016 and is the first mental health fellowship for journalists in the Middle East. Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, said, "Journalists have immense power to inform, educate and influence society. Their support is essential to raise awareness and create a dialogue about mental health in the region. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that people with mental illnesses are not marginalised and that they receive the required support to live happy productive lives." "For nearly two decades, Carter Centre fellows have accurately and sensitively covered mental health issues around the world, helping communities better understand illnesses that affect so many people," said the former First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter. "Too often we only hear about mental health in the news following a crisis or tragic event. Yet every day, millions of people living with these illnesses go to work, care for their children, and contribute to their communities. They are valuable members of society, and their stories deserve to be told." The Carter Centre provides training, educational materials, mentorship, evaluation tools, and technical assistance to develop a sustainable and tailored programme in the UAE. Al Jalila Foundation manages the programme and is responsible for the selection of journalists, facilitating media training, adapting the programme to meet the needs of the Emirates, and local evaluations. Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said, "It is a huge privilege to be the first to offer the mental health journalism programme in the region and continue the incredible work that former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has done to combat the stigma associated with mental illnesses. Our 2016 fellows have been instrumental in shining a light and raising awareness about mental health in the UAE. We are excited to continue to grow the programme to benefit our nation." The programme is open to UAE nationals and residents working in all media forms with a minimum of three years of professional experience. Projects are tailored to the experience and interests of the fellows. Fellows should be bilingual in Arabic and English and are not required to leave their current employment or relocate for the duration of the fellowship. The application for the 2017-2018 programme is available online at Al Jalila Foundation website and should be submitted before 11th May 2017. The recipients will be announced on 13th July and the fellowship begins in September 2017. http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302603695