S04E03 - Calm, Clarity, and Connection: The ICAN Collective Approach - Laura Brennan

S04E03 - Calm, Clarity, and Connection: The ICAN Collective Approach - Laura Brennan

Author: MentalHealth AE March 14, 2026 Duration: 46:55

In this episode, Ali Khawaja is joined by Laura Brennan, a family wellbeing and behavior specialist and founder of the ICAN Collective, to discuss a systems-based approach to calm, clarity, and connection in children, families, and schools.


Laura shares her extensive international journey across education, therapeutic settings, and family environments in the UK, Japan, Australia, the US, and the UAE. Through this work, she observed a common global issue: children’s behavior is widely misunderstood, and responsibility is often misplaced on the child rather than on the environments surrounding them. Her experience working across education, therapy, movement, and family systems shaped her holistic perspective.


The conversation explores the structural challenges within education and mental health systems, including overdiagnosis, lack of communication between schools, families, and service providers, and the pressure placed on children to adapt to systems not designed for them. Laura emphasizes the importance of early intervention, environmental awareness, and consistent strategies across home, school, and community.


Ali and Laura discuss cultural dynamics in the UAE, the role of caregivers, stigma around mental health, and the risks of waiting until crisis points before seeking support. Laura introduces the ICAN Collective as a collaborative model that empowers parents, supports schools, and connects professionals to create aligned, child-centered solutions.


The episode concludes with a focus on connection, advocacy, and collective responsibility. Both speakers highlight that meaningful change requires shared language, early action, and collaboration across all stakeholders to build healthier systems for children and families.


#FamilyWellbeing #ChildMentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #EducationReform #EarlyIntervention #ParentingSupport #MentalHealthAdvocacy #CommunityCare



Podcasters-

https://www.instagram.com/talktokhawaja/

https://www.instagram.com/ican.collective.family/


MHAE Website | https://www.mentalhealth.ae

MHAE Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthae



Tuning into Mental Health AE means entering a conversation grounded in the unique rhythms and realities of life in the United Arab Emirates. This isn't about abstract theories; it's a practical, compassionate dialogue focused on local well-being. Each episode stems from the initiative's core mission to build awareness and carve out a genuine safe space for listeners, offering tangible access to information and resources that resonate within this specific cultural context. You'll hear honest discussions that tackle the everyday stresses, societal pressures, and personal challenges people face here, all while navigating paths toward resilience and balance. The podcast serves as an audio extension of that supportive community, where topics range from managing anxiety and workplace burnout to fostering mindfulness and emotional health, always with a relatable, UAE-centric perspective. Hosted by the team behind MentalHealth AE, the episodes are designed to feel like a thoughtful chat with someone who gets it, providing both solace and actionable insights without judgment. It’s for anyone in the region looking to understand their own mind better or simply seeking a moment of grounded reflection amidst a fast-paced world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mental Health AE
Podcast Episodes
S01E09 - التنمر - هلا باكير [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:40
في حديث اليوم، ستتحدث هلا عن طرق لمعالجة قضية التنمر. حيث تتناول مفهوم التنمر و نشأته و كيفية منع هذا السلوك من أجل مساعدة كل من الطفل الذي يتعرض للتنمر و المتنمر. هلا باكير ، ماجستير في الإرشاد الاجتماعي ومستشار التعل…
S01E08 - Back to School Anxiety - Bisma Anwar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
⁣Addressing anxiety that children and parents are facing with returning back to school this year. There is a lot we don’t know, and uncertainty is creating a lot of stress.⁣ ⁣ Bisma Anwar is a Licensed Mental Health coun…
S01E07 - أسمى الجعيتاني - هناك أمل [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
معظمنا شهد أو سمع عن انفجار بيروت ، سواء كنّا في لبنان أو في خارجه، كلنا متضررون! فكيف نتعامل مع هذه الحادثة؟ و كيف نتأقلم مع هذه الصدمة؟ انضم إلينا في حوارنا يوم الثلاثاء بعنوان "هناك أمل" لمناقشة الآثار النفسية و الاضر…
S01E06 - Through the eyes of a Worried Child - Liam Kelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
Liam will talk about his early worries as a child and how they made him feel. He will talk about how they could change his emotions throughout the day and how he ended up pleasing everyone at school, while neglecting him…
S01E05 - جوانا العظم - كيف تبني مناعتك ضد السلبيه [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:14
كيف تبني مناعتك ضد السلبيه كلياتنا منحتاج نحمي حالنا من افكارنا و من الي حوالينا لنأمّن سلامة عقلنا...مهيك ؟ اعطوني ساعة من وقتكن الثلثاء 28 يوليو من الساعه 7 المساء الى الساعه 8 لشاركّن المعادله الي اتوصلتلها من تجربتي…
S01E04 - Slow down and avoid burnout - Ferina Aziz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:29
Slow down and avoid burnout When she was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression, she found this 'breakdown' as a blessing in her life as it brought her to the life purpose of becoming a guide and sharing how medi…
S01E03 - علا العمودي - تعزيز الثقة بالنفس لدى الفتيات [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:42
تعزيز الثقة بالنفس لدى الفتيات علا العمودي مؤسس مبادرة همة الاجتماعية. تعمل على تمكين الفتيات وتعزيز ثقتهم بأنفسهم، لرفع مستوى الوعي الذاتي و ترسيخ القيم و إدراك المشاعر و اكتشاف المهارات الذاتية والسعي لتطويرها. @himmac…
S01E02 - Unblocking Subconscious Emotions - Nipa Asharam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:47
Unblocking Subconscious Emotions Nipa is a certified health, wellness, and life coach. Her love to unfold human layers met her as a passion to shape and transform lives. As a full time practicing life coach and wellness…
S01E01 - Mental Health & Coping during COVID-19 - Bisma Anwar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
Mental Health & Coping during COVID-19⠀ Bisma Anwar is a Licensed Mental Health counselor. She has a Master of Education and a Master of Arts degree in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University.…