Abu Dhabi: “Al Khaleej”

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulatory body for the healthcare sector in the emirate, reaffirmed its firm commitment to enhancing the mental health of community members, considering it a renewed priority and an integral part of their comprehensive health journey, as well as a fundamental pillar of public health.

On this year’s World Mental Health Day, the department continues its mission to establish community awareness that mental health is as important as physical health, and that seeking psychological support is not a stigma or a sign of weakness but a courageous step reflecting willpower and self-awareness.

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

Abu Dhabi has adopted an innovative approach to enhancing the mental health of the emirate’s residents by integrating mental health screenings within primary care services, conducting specialized mental health assessments for mothers as part of the postnatal home visit program, and launching a self-assessment mental health tool via the “Sehatna” app available for adults aged 18 and above. This tool enables users to gain valuable and comprehensive insights to enjoy mental health and wellness, providing practical and personalized advice to help manage challenges they face and determine whether specialized support and counseling should be sought. Today, Abu Dhabi hosts 143 facilities offering mental health services, including 13 specialized centers staffed by more than 640 experts and specialists, ensuring reliable, evidence-based psychological care for all community members.

Dr. Noora Khamis Al Ghithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “We believe in Abu Dhabi that mental health is a shared responsibility. Therefore, we work to establish a culture that promotes the concept of mental wellness as a source of strength, not a sign of weakness, so that every individual feels supported, appreciated, and empowered to take the step to seek help and specialized counseling when needed. Health is not limited to physical health only but includes mental health in all its aspects, which extends its impact to touch the quality of life of individuals and society as a whole.”