143 facilities provide mental health services in Abu Dhabi

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulatory body for the healthcare sector in the emirate, has affirmed its firm commitment to promoting mental health for members of society, as it is a renewed priority and an established part of their integrated health journey, and an essential pillar of public health. Today, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi includes 143 facilities that provide mental health services, including 13 facilities specialized in this field, with more than 640 experts and specialists working within them. This ensures reliable psychological care based on scientific evidence for all members of society.

On World Mental Health Day this year, the department continues its mission aimed at establishing community awareness that mental health is no less important than physical health, and that seeking psychological support does not represent a stigma or a sign of weakness, but rather a courageous step that expresses will and self-awareness.

According to the World Health Organization, mental health disorders affect one out of every four people during some stage of their lives, so the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi continues to take proactive steps to build an integrated system that provides psychological support to individuals at various stages of their lives, starting with awareness and early prevention, through health education, to providing specialized therapeutic services and facilitating their access to them for all segments of society.

Abu Dhabi has adopted an innovative approach to enhancing the mental health of the emirate’s population, by integrating mental health examinations into primary care services, conducting specialized assessments of mothers’ mental health within the postpartum home visits program, in addition to launching a mental health self-assessment tool through the “Sehtuna” application available to adults aged 18 years and above, which enables users to obtain valuable and comprehensive insights for enjoyment. Health and psychological well-being, giving them practical and personal advice that helps them manage the challenges they face, and knowing whether they should seek support and specialized advice.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “In Abu Dhabi, we believe that mental health is a shared responsibility. Therefore, we are working to establish a culture that reinforces the concept of psychological wellness as a source of strength and not a sign of weakness, so that every individual feels supported, appreciated and empowered to take the step of seeking help and specialized advice when needed, as health is not limited to physical health only, but includes mental health in all its aspects, which Its impact extends to the quality of life of individuals and society as a whole.”

As part of its message that mental wellness is for everyone, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is preparing to launch a community event under the title “Every Mind is Beautiful,” which aims to engage community members and inspire them to adopt a more aware and comprehensive perspective towards mental health. The event will be held this week in Umm Al Emarat Park, and includes a group of interactive experiences, applied workshops, creative performances and awareness dialogue sessions, with the participation of an elite group of experts, specialists and influencers in this field.

This initiative seeks to stimulate inspiring dialogues about mental health, and break the stigma associated with it, to enable individuals to care for themselves and support those around them. Abu Dhabi also calls on all members of society, through this initiative, to enhance their awareness of the concept of mental health and wellness, and to reconsider it as a shared community journey that grows with the strength of interconnectedness, empathy, and collective awareness.