Two journalists from the UAE have been awarded the 2025 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, supported by The Carter Centre in association with The National. They join an international cohort committed to advancing informed, compassionate reporting on mental health around the world.
Among the selected fellows is Ghenwa Yehia, a regular contributor to Khaleej Times’ wknd magazine, known for her thoughtful exploration of mental health themes and everyday emotional experiences. As part of the year-long, non-residential programme, Yehia will investigate the emerging field of “grief tech” – artificial intelligence tools that simulate conversations with deceased loved ones – and examine their emotional, ethical, and cultural impact on the grieving process.
“It’s a huge honour – one that is deeply affirming – to be selected for a fellowship that stands at the forefront of mental health advocacy in journalism,” said Yehia. “My work is not for me, it’s to give a voice to anyone who’s ever experienced mental health issues and been shamed into staying silent. I’m proud to have a global platform to showcase all that’s being done to make space for these important conversations.”
Her multi-part series, to be published over the coming year, will offer readers new perspectives on how AI may be reshaping our understanding of grief, memory, and closure.
The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, established in the 1990s by the Carter Center, are among the most respected initiatives of their kind globally. Named in honour of the late Rosalynn Carter, former US First Lady and lifelong mental health advocate, the programme provides journalists with training and mentorship from experts in the United States and the UAE. Since its inception, more than 200 fellows have been selected worldwide, including 12 from the UAE since the country programme began in 2018.
