Mental health systems in the UAE are rapidly progressing toward a sustainable and scalable model of mental healthcare, employing innovation, an integrated approach, and international evidence-based best practices. The UAE National Agenda aims to achieve a world-class healthcare system, and significant attention is given to mental and behavioral disorders at the national level [5]. This section provides a brief overview of different aspects pertaining to mental health systems in the UAE, including legislation, governance, services, and other aspects.

32.4.1 Mental Health Legislations and Policies

UAE federal laws pertaining to mental health have existed since the country was united in 1971. These laws cover different mental health domains, including protecting the rights of people with mental disabilities, protecting child rights, and numerous constitutional guarantees for the promotion of human rights [25]. Law No. (5) of 2019 was passed for addiction treatment and rehabilitation facilities for UAE residents and Emiratis, with emphasis on providing a safe environment, the right to privacy, and freedom to seek treatment [26]. Legal reforms were introduced in the UAE, including decriminalizing suicide and attempted suicide in Federal Decree Law No. 15 of 2020 [27]. Members of the Federal National Council passed the mental health draft law in 2021, which aims to provide the necessary healthcare for these patients according to the best standards, protect their rights and dignity, reduce the negative effects of mental disorders on the lives of individuals, families, and society, and promote the integration of the psychiatric patients into the community [28].

The Ministry of Health and Prevention developed “The National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health in the United Arab Emirates,” issued by the UAE Cabinet in 2017, with a human rights-based approach in line with the National Health Strategy, the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the Next 50-year Plan. Its strategic objectives align with mental health awareness, prevention, service provision, multi-sectoral collaboration, and the development of research.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) formulated the first comprehensive mental health strategy, titled “Happy Lives, Healthy Communities,” 2017–2021, to assess mental health gaps and articulate guiding principles for a responsive, culturally appropriate mental health system [11]. The “National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031” also aims to promote good mental health and adopt positive thinking as a strategic objective [29]. As a component of its health Sector strategy, the Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi has put forth an extensive Mental Health plan built upon a capacity and demand assessment, gap analysis, and benchmarking effort in the mental healthcare field. The resulting strategy represents a comprehensive and holistic framework encompassing numerous initiatives organized into three overarching categories: “Staying Healthy,” “Getting Better,” and “Sustaining Health.” A multitude of government entities have joined forces to implement this holistic model, emphasizing prevention and recovery rather than solely access to healthcare services.

The UAE Government has taken strategic steps to ensure the integration of people with disabilities (PWD) within society at large and improve access to services. This includes adopting "People of Determination" (POD) as an official label to recognize their efforts and achievements [30]. Adopting strategies and policies pertaining to POD is quite relevant to mental health, given that the concept of disability overlaps with some mental disorders, and many disabilities have a significant impact on mental well-being. Policies include the UAE National Policy for Empowering People of Determination [31], the Abu Dhabi Comprehensive Strategy for People of Determination, and the Dubai Inclusive Education Framework announced by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) [32]. With regard to ASD, the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) announced a UAE National Policy aiming to empower individuals with ASD across the lifespan [33]. To improve the standards of services provided for children with ASD and enhance the system of care, the Dubai Health Authority announced the first edition of the Dubai Autism Guidelines in 2021, following consultation with parents and stakeholders [34, 66, 67]. In summary, policies play a fundamental role in mental health, and the UAE has taken significant strides in developing its mental health guidelines.

32.4.2 Mental Health Governance

Mental health service provision is governed by different regulatory authorities in the UAE, including the federal health authority, which comprises the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), responsible for providing healthcare services, and Emirates Health Services (EHS), which works to enhance the efficiency of the federal health sector by implementing strategic health-related policies and standards and preventive care. The Department of Health (DoH), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Health Care Authority (DHCA) in Dubai, and Sharjah Health Authority carry out similar responsibilities [35]. In 2021, a decree was issued by the ruler of Dubai declaring the establishment of the Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC) [65]. At the time of writing this chapter, the healthcare system of Dubai is undergoing a transformation under this decree towards an integrated academic system.

The Emirates Society of Mental Health (ESMH) is a scientific society under the umbrella of the Emirates Medical Association (EMA), composed of psychiatrists and healthcare specialists proactively promoting mental health awareness in the Middle Eastern region through its various activities. The Emirates Psychological Association (EPA) was established in 2003 in Dubai by the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is the only officially recognized professional association for psychologists in the UAE. In 2015, the Emirates Society for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ESCAM) was established under EMA, focusing on enhancing mental healthcare, research, and awareness in the UAE. Notably, ESCAM hosted the 25th World Congress of the International Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Allied Professionals (IACAPAP) in December 2022, which was held for the first time in an Arab city since the congress commenced in 1937 and was attended by delegates from more than 80 countries [36].

32.4.3 Mental Health Services

Psychiatric services are delivered primarily through the public and private sectors as outpatient clinics. Under the umbrella of Emirates Health Services, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital serves as the leading tertiary care facility in the UAE, offering acute and specialized inpatient care, a 24/7 emergency department, community home care services, and outreach services catering to Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The Rashid Hospital Psychiatry Unit, currently under Dubai Health, provides psychiatry outpatient, inpatient, community, and liaison services.

Recent years have witnessed the development of specialized services, such as Clinical Academic Groups under Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, in partnership with Maudsley Health, that includes specialized forensic psychiatry, addictions psychiatry, old-age psychiatry, Intellectual disabilities, children and adolescents’ mental health, and community mental health. Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, operating under the umbrella of Emirates Health Services, functions within a comprehensive healthcare system that integrates preventive care, clinical services, research, innovation, and education to deliver world-class mental health services to the population. Innovative approaches currently being explored include the integration of generative artificial intelligence to support the mental well-being of older adults, exemplified by the ‘Synthetic Memories’ project. In parallel, AI-driven tools such as remote eye-tracking and deep typing technologies are being employed to facilitate the early detection of autism within home environments. These and other forward-looking initiatives reflect a broader commitment to harnessing emerging technologies in order to advance population mental health at scale. One of the milestones in child and adolescent mental health in the UAE is the establishment of the Mental Health Center of Excellence at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital (AJCH) in Dubai, which aims to provide state-of-the-art clinical services, as well as research and education [37]. Specialized mental healthcare at AJCH is delivered through comprehensive outpatient and inpatient services for individuals up to 18 years of age. Treatment and rehabilitation for substance misuse disorders are provided at specialized facilities like the National Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi and Erada in Dubai. Police and prison services are integral to substance misuse programs, where treatment is offered on a voluntary basis, and mental health cases [38]. Satellite clinics in primary healthcare (PHC) centers were launched to improve access to mental healthcare through psychiatry consultations for patients visiting the PHCs. The UAE offers a mixed health insurance system, with public and private insurance. Public insurance grants access to government-funded hospitals and clinics.

Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), part of the PureHealth network, has restructured its mental health services into a unified, tiered model of care. In May 2024, it launched Sakina, now the largest integrated mental health network in Abu Dhabi, as a cornerstone of the emirate’s mental health strategy. Sakina offers holistic, accessible, and stigma-free services across outpatient hubs, neurodiversity centers, and inpatient units. Built on the pillars of Awareness & Prevention, Clinical Excellence, and Rehabilitation & Reintegration, it aims to embed mental health within general healthcare, reduce barriers, and meet the needs of vulnerable populations through community-based and tertiary care [39].

32.4.4 Mental Health Workforce

According to the WHO, the number of mental health workers employed in the UAE increased sevenfold between 2017 and 2020. These include psychiatrists, mental health nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other specialized staff members, such as occupational therapists. The total number of mental health professionals employed in 2020 was 4914, including 3777 mental health nurses, 414 psychiatrists, and 282 psychologists [13].

32.4.5 Mental Healthcare Initiatives in the UAE

The government of the UAE is continuously advocating for mental health through active participation in “World Mental Health Day” and making efforts to improve access to care and reduce stigma by launching community mental health activities, digital mental health initiatives, school mental health programs, awareness talks, and extensive media campaigns. In 2010, the UAE mental health plan was reviewed, focusing on the wider accessibility of mental health services in the government’s facilities across the region and their incorporation into primary care [40].

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) launched its innovation strategy (2019–2021) for the future of healthcare under the theme “Innovate for Health”, aiming to make the UAE a leading international destination for a sustainable future in smart healthcare through technological integration into diagnostic and therapeutic methods [41]. The Mental Health Innovation Lab 2021 brought together leaders and experts to collaborate and achieve a common goal of supporting mental health and wellness sustainably by integrating care and promoting intersectoral action and collaboration in mental health to establish evidence-based standards [42].

A free mental health support network was built in Abu Dhabi under the theme of “Darkness into Light UAE” to raise awareness about mental health issues. To raise awareness of mental health challenges, reduce stigma, and end discrimination against those with mental illness within the UAE, the Al Jalila Foundation awarded three Emirati journalists the “Mental Health Journalism Fellowship” [43]. The Emirates Health Services (EHS) launched the “Theqa” program in 2021 to provide moral and psychological support for healthcare providers (HCPs) who have been traumatized due to their involvement in an unanticipated adverse patient event. The Community Psychiatry Department at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital also launched “Nadamukum” in 2022, which is a caregiver forum and support group for families and loved ones of patients with severe and chronic mental illnesses.

In 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi launched a primary care upskilling program to increase the scope of primary care providers to screen, intervene, and treat individuals suffering from mental health issues early in the illness [68]. The program had two components: psychopharmacology training designed for primary care physicians, and psychotherapy training designed for primary care physicians and nurses. The Department of Community Medicine launched a helpline for the psychological support of the community [69]. The Family Care Authority (FCA) was launched in 2023 as an affiliate under Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development (DCD), tasked with advancing the psychosocial quality of life for families in Abu Dhabi [70].

32.4.6 Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The government made tremendous efforts to offer uninterrupted mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic by developing effective smart systems that offered innovative therapeutic, preventive, and mental health rehabilitation services while ensuring safety and privacy across the community.

1.

Mental healthcare was delivered by tele-psychiatry and tele-mental health services, including the psychological counseling helpline service “Talk, We Do Hear You,” and the launch of relevant virtual clinics. These included virtual psychiatric and psychological clinics for outpatient clinic patients, virtual pharmacy services, remote guidance for psychiatric drugs, psychosocial rehabilitation programs for patients with addiction, and medication home delivery services.

2.

The Health Ministry formed multidisciplinary teams to provide 24/7 psychiatric emergency services to COVID-19-affected patients in accordance with the best international standards and practices.

3.

Community mental health services provided continuity of care through the designation of home care and support teams for chronic cases, and the activation of a virtual visit program for inpatients to enable them to meet their families [44].

4.

The National Program for Happiness and Wellbeing launched the Mental Support Line (800 HOPE) to provide safe and confidential mental support to individuals impacted by COVID-19, and an online national campaign titled “The National Campaign for Mental Support” to help the community overcome the psychological impact of the pandemic. This campaign was promoted with the hashtag #DontWorry.

5.

The “Employees Assistance Program,” named “Hayat,” was introduced as a psychological and moral support program to help federal government employees deal with the circumstances and anxiety associated with COVID-19 [45].

6.

Awareness campaigns during the COVID-19 period were of high caliber, and many programs, such as “Rest Assured,” were launched by the Ministry of Community Development [46].

7.

From 2020–2022, SEHA operated the “Ma’akum” (With you) helpline for close to 20,000 healthcare staff members in its network to provide psychological support during the pandemic