The UAE Government is regularly undertaking new measures to address mental health issues and reduce the stigma associated with it. It has come up with many initiatives for Emiratis and expatriates by giving them access to mental health services and support as required.
Access the UAE's mental health services through Emirates Health Services
Get mental health support through Abu Dhabi Public Health centre
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital
Al Amal Hospital is the first internationally accredited specialised medical facility in the field of mental health in the Middle East. It is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).
The hospital serves patients from Dubai and the Northern Emirates. It offers a range of outpatient specialised psychiatry clinics for children, adults, the elderly, people of determination, as well as, for those with addiction. It also offers forensic psychiatry services.
Scope
The UAE’s federal decree on mental health regulates the relationship between psychiatric patients and the parties involved. It applies to all matters relating to mental health, including psychiatric patients, mental health facilities and other institutions in the UAE and free zones involved in the psychiatric care. This law requires permission from the competent authorities in order to provide mental health services.
The law defines types of admission to mental healthcare facilities, regulations relating to voluntary admission for the treatment of abuse of psychotropic substances, and the obligations of the mental health facility in case of a patient’s escape or death in the facility.
It defines cases of psychological restraint, isolation and transfer of the patient in and outside the country, as well as, the cases of compulsory outpatient treatment.
Objectives
The law aims to preserve the rights and dignity of the psychiatric patients, reduce the negative effects of mental conditions on them, their families and the society, and promote their social integration.
Patients’ rights
General patients’ rights include:
Monitoring committee
Each emirate is required to establish a dedicated monitoring committee to safeguard the rights of psychiatric patients. Additionally, each health facility must establish a dedicated committee to ensure the protection of patients’ rights.
Fines
The law imposes penalties, including imprisonment and fines ranging from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 for offenders of its regulations and provisions.
For minors
Special health guarantees are provided for minor psychiatric patients, ensuring the implementation of age-specific health safeguards aligned with the best interests of minor patients.
The National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health in the UAE identifies five main strategic objectives. They are:
Among the actions included in the policy are the provision of mental health services to outpatients, the development of mental health units for inpatients in mental health hospitals and the establishment of community mental health services, including outreach services, care and home support services and community rehabilitation.
In early 2019, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) announced the launch of a number of digital solutions technologies in the mental and psychological field, which will lead to a quantum leap in the clinical practices field. These digital solutions include the treatment by using virtual reality technology to help understand schizophrenia and to learn more about the suffering of patients with this disease, through the use of Gear by Oculus technology.
In addition, MoHAP, represented by the Specialized Care Department of Hospitals Sector, and in collaboration with Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority, organised awareness lectures in English and Urdu to raise Sharjah taxi drivers’ awareness about mental disorders. A medical team from MoHAP conducted examinations for 100 drivers to assess their acquaintance with mental disorders causes and treatment. The team distributed mental-disorders-related brochures including how to control these disorders and the places where drivers can go for diagnosis and treatment.
The Mental Health Program at Abu Dhabi Public Health Center aims to develop projects and provide resources to promote community mental health and reduce self and social stigma around mental disorders and associate treatment.
To support the spreading of awareness of mental health, reduce stigma and end discrimination against those with mental illness within the UAE, Al Jalila Foundation awarded three Emirati journalists, the ‘Mental Health Journalism Fellowship’. The fellowship promotes the publication of quality discussion around mental illness encouraging awareness and acceptance to a stigmatised hidden condition.
Read also:
Popular searches
