Dubai’s Social Agenda 33 (D33) seeks to position the emirate as the world’s best destination for living, working, and visiting. Part of that involves advancing and breaking the stigma of mental health. 

In July, Dubai announced the launch of a $28.5 million Mental Wealth Framework to address the issue. The framework has ten parts and will be implemented over the next five years. 

By employing innovative solutions to improve mental well-being in the local community, the framework will cover all segments of society, prioritizing the elderly, children, people of determination, and those suffering from chronic diseases. 

Initiatives will focus on detecting factors impacting an individual’s mental health and providing the required care, support, and counseling services as part of the project. 

Schools will also revise the emphasis on mental health to provide high-quality care, support, and counseling services necessary to enhance psychological and community stability.

The framework focuses on the educational environment, empowering school staff and parents to develop students’ psychological capacities.

At the launch, Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, director general of Dubai Health Authority, said, “Mental wealth is an integral part of the health and welfare of the community and one of the most important strategic objectives of major cities around the world, especially given the rapid pace of daily life.” 

“Achieving this objective requires scientific and systematic intervention to manage the demands and pressures of everyday life and their potential consequences,” he added.

As Dubai’s new mental health framework goes into effect, aiming to significantly enhance the overall well-being of its residents, we find out how this will break the stigma and what more can be done.

BREAKING THE STIGMA 

While there is still a significant stigma surrounding mental disorders, Dubai has been a leading player in transforming the mental health landscape. 

Timo Brosig, MD and CEO of the German Neuroscience Center, says he has witnessed this tremendous change. Almost 20 years ago, the center established some of the first free-of-charge support groups in Dubai when the concept was widely unknown, and people hesitated to join. 

Now, Brosig says, the center is running free support groups for most major mental health disorders, and many other clinics have joined in the effort to provide these services to the community.

Since Dubai is a metropolis with a diverse population, the new mental health framework is crucial as it addresses the unique cultural and societal dynamics. 

“Unlike other initiatives, the Mental Wealth Framework is exceptionally comprehensive, covering everything from awareness and early detection to treatment. What truly sets it apart is the diversity of its patient base, which includes individuals from over 200 nations with varied cultural, religious, and other beliefs. This diversity necessitates tailored approaches in therapy and awareness campaigns to effectively address the unique needs of each group,” says Brosig.

Sarmistha Mitra, Holistic Health Expert and Founder and CEO of The Wellbeing Sanctuary Training LLC, echoes the sentiment, adding that the framework is an integrative, holistic approach that considers the mental health needs of a multicultural population while aligning with Dubai’s progressive vision of well-being. 

“It emphasizes proactive mental fitness, not just reactive treatment, thus ensuring long-term emotional resilience and psychological well-being. This model is unique in incorporating community involvement, destigmatization campaigns, and culturally adaptive interventions tailored to the UAE’s diverse demographics,” she adds.

According to Professor Mohammad Nami, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience and Sleep Health at the Canadian University of Dubai, the initiative aims to break down deeply entrenched stigmas by “forming a societal perceptual shift rather than just responding to the growing demand for mental health treatments.”

This shift is especially significant as different cultures view mental health recovery and support differently. All agree that cultural relevance must remain at the top of Dubai’s mind when it comes to mental health initiatives.

“Stigma is a powerful barrier because we deal with different cultural conditioning in different communities. We have to challenge the narratives that frame mental health struggles,” says Misha Akbar, Founder of Sama Health.

FILLING IN THE GAPS

Despite significant progress in reducing the stigma around mental disorders over the past two decades, mental health professionals still encounter many patients who have suffered for years before seeking help. These individuals often endure treatable conditions due to fear of judgment or misconceptions about mental health. Ongoing efforts in awareness and anti-stigmatization are essential to ensure timely help for those in need.

Mental health professionals believe that leveraging the benefits of the new mental health framework will help reduce the stigma and address many gaps that have previously created roadblocks. 

Brosig says, “Dubai’s new framework addresses several critical gaps in mental health services, particularly in awareness, anti-stigmatization, and early detection.” 

Another gap is how mental health professionals get licensed and practice, which the framework, rules, and regulations could clarify and streamline. Access to mental health resources is similarly crucial, not just for the local community but also for the expats in the UAE.

“Mental health services in the UAE have historically been underutilized due to stigma, lack of awareness, and limited specialized support for expats. This framework is filling those gaps by enhancing mental health literacy, promoting public awareness, and expanding service reach, especially for marginalized communities such as migrant workers and youth,” says Mitra.

Omer Khan, Founder and CEO of Helply, notes that Dubai’s new mental health framework addresses several gaps in the current system, such as limited accessibility, long waiting times, and the shortage of trained mental health professionals. 

“The framework seeks to fill these gaps by integrating mental health care into primary health services, expanding telemedicine options, and promoting mental health awareness campaigns. By doing so, Dubai ensures timely, affordable, and culturally appropriate mental health support while fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for those in need,” says Khan.

Community involvement in technology use can also augment Dubai’s access to mental health facilities. 

For example, if physical consultations are impossible because of the patient’s distance or shame about their condition, telehealth can provide an alternative. 

Aside from stigma, a financial burden comes with seeking help. While increasing access and reducing stigma are key, it’s equally important to recognize that unless holistic therapies are covered by insurance, people will be less likely to fully embrace proactive mental fitness. 

“Mental health coverage should not just be limited to crisis intervention; it needs to extend to preventative measures. Holistic approaches—like mental fitness classes, meditation, mindfulness, and integrative therapies—can help individuals maintain emotional resilience and mental well-being, thereby preventing crises before they arise,” suggests Mitra.

The framework also addresses the need for tailored mental health solutions, focusing on integrating mental health into primary healthcare settings, making it easier for individuals to seek help early.

“Such a wide-ranging strategy recognizes mental health’s critical role in social well-being and productivity,” says Professor Nami. “Making mental health a communal responsibility and not simply personal requires collaboration across many sectors to foster mutual understanding and support. This is what we, as mental healthcare providers, cannot wait to see evolve.”