By Mila Lopez-Sancho
Head of Boarding, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD)
As we mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we take time to reflect on how far the conversation around mental health has come. Talking openly about mental health is no longer taboo, and visibility matters.
In our boarding houses at Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD), these discussions happen naturally and often. Students know exactly where to turn when they need help, and they are encouraged to check in on their peers too. Through workshops, awareness activities, and expert-led sessions, we aim to equip our students with the resilience and strategies to navigate the ups and downs of modern life.
At SISD, wellbeing and promoting mental health are at the very core of our boarding experience. When students feel safe, happy, and supported, academic success and personal growth naturally follow. That’s why laying strong foundations for mental health is our first and most important step – everything else builds from there.
Our approach is holistic and deeply embedded in SISD’s wider wellbeing philosophy, which extends across every aspect of school life.
A diverse and dynamic team of boarding staff, trained in safeguarding and key staff with mental health first aid qualifications, form meaningful relationships with students, guiding them through challenges and celebrating achievements.
The involvement of our school counsellor and pastoral team ensures that every boarder has access to professional support when needed. Beyond this, our enrichment programme and thoughtfully designed house activities help students connect with one another, enjoy downtime, and explore their passions. Every interaction, every activity, every conversation contributes, directly or indirectly, to nurturing mental wellbeing, resilience and success.
Our ultimate goal? To ensure that when students leave boarding, they are not only prepared to thrive academically and socially, but are also part of a generation for whom mental health is understood, valued, and openly discussed. We want them to carry
confidence and empathy into the wider world, knowing they can speak up for themselves and support others in doing the same.
At SISD, mental health isn’t just a priority – it’s part of the very fabric of boarding life.
Categories: School News Swiss International Scientific School Dubai
