YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

According to Mario Aoun, who is a clinical psychologist at Healthpoint, the most common mental health issues within the UAE are depression and anxiety among both UAE nationals and expatriates. Depression and anxiety can be caused by financial worries, demanding jobs, being away from the family and feeling lonely.

‘If a person feels that their foundational relationships are unsafe, unstable or abusive, they are more likely to be affected by these issues. Thriving in a safe and nurturing environment is essential to a person’s well-being.’

When setting out strategies to overcome these issues, emotional wellness should be considered as important as physical health, if not more. With the start of the new year, it is of paramount importance to understand how you need to approach the problems in your life, with tactics that you will need to cultivate.

‘Work on your personal and professional relationships as they are vital components of health and well-being. This will help create a supportive and encouraging environment for you, and steer you away from a sense of loneliness,’ says Dr Aoun. ‘If you have overwhelming feelings of anxiety, and feel that some challenges are becoming overbearing, consult with a psychologist.’