Dubai unveils mental health strategy
DHA LAUNCHES STRATEGY TO IMPROVE SERVICES THROUGH ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Plan includes involving community to remove stigma attached to mental disorders |
In a major step to recognise rising prevalence of mental health disorders, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) yesterday launched the first comprehensive mental health strategy for Dubai.
The strategy titled ‘Happy Lives, Healthy Communities’ was launched in line with Dubai Health Strategy 2016-21 to work towards successful implementation, active community participation to remove the stigma attached to it and empowerment of the patient, said a top DHA official.
Launching the strategy, Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, chairman of the board and director-general of DHA, said he wants Dubai to be a smart and sustainable city where people who are happy, creative and empowered live.
“Demand for mental health services in Dubai has increased in both the public and private sectors. Mood disorders, anxiety, developmental disorders, psychotic disorders and behavioural and emotional disorders account for 88 per cent of outpatient diagnosis at DHA facilities.”
It is estimated that one in four individuals suffers from some kind of mental disorders in his lifetime affecting 450 million globally. These disorders include schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, depression, alcohol and other drug disorders, and a range of anxiety disorders.
The prevalence of mental and behavioural disorders is about 10 per cent of the adult population worldwide, and 20 per cent of the adolescents under the age of 18 suffer from developmental, emotional or behavioural problems.
According to the Global Happiness Survey Report released at the World Government Summit in Dubai in February, untreated mental illness reduces the GNP (gross national product) of countries by four per cent. Many other costs associated with mental illness are indirect or hidden. Indirect costs include loss of productivity attributable to the illness and costs related to morbidity, premature mortality, incarceration, and caregiver time. Mental health policy.
Comprehensive analysis
Fatima Abbas, director of Policy and Strategy Department at the DHA, said they have chalked out a specialised policy based on a comprehensive analysis in consultation with international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Nadia Dabbagh, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Rashid Hospital and programme lead for the Mental Health Strategy at the DHA, said the implementation plan is divided into phases based on the priorities, needs and resources.
It will be rolled out according to the four pillars of the strategy, which are legislation and governance for successful implementation of this strategy; promotion, prevention and early intervention; service delivery and finally recovery by establishing accessible community services; and finally, introduction of patient empowerment programmes.