DUBAI HEALTHCARE CITY LAUNCHES WEEK-LONG PROGRAM TO MARK WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2018

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), the healthcare free zone of Dubai, today announced its week-long mental health awareness program ‘Stigma ends when a conversation begins’, which kicks off on World Mental Health Day tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10, to tackle anxiety, depression, job stress and cyber bullying, among other issues.

The program aims to address stigma, empower patients and improve public health and wellbeing. Planned activities include more than 80 complimentary consultations for the public in the DHCC free zone and a collaboration with academic institution Amity University Dubai.

Global figures indicate that half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s according to the World Health Organization that marks World Mental Health Day.

In the UAE, mental health is a national priority with the government taking positive steps to introduce polices and frameworks to improve mental wellbeing in youth and adults. The Dubai Government’s push to remove the stigma attached to mental health through its ‘Happy Lives, Healthy Communities’ strategy has spurred action among stakeholders in the health industry.

Dr Ramadan AlBlooshi, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory, said, “In line with the Dubai Government’s efforts, DHCC aims to create a culture in which people feel safe and comfortable to talk about their issues, and are guaranteed the best care. World Mental Health Day is a timely reminder to raise awareness and initiate conversations to improve mental wellbeing in the communities we serve.” 

From 10-17 October, DHCC-based partners American Wellness Center; Camali Clinic Child & Adult Mental Health; Stepping Stones Center for Autistic Spectrum Disorders; The Carbone Clinic (The Psychology Center); The Family Therapy Clinic; and Vivamus will open their doors with complimentary consultations. Members of the public can contact 800-HEALTH to inquire about appointment scheduling.

On Wednesday, October 10, Amity University Dubai will host DHCC specialists for their seminar on mental health at its campus in Dubai International Academic City. And on Thursday, October
11, DHCC will host a ‘Compassion Fatigue and Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace’ session aimed at helping professionals recognize the signs of job stress and burnout and learn to develop coping strategies. 

Elaborating on the program, Dr AlBlooshi added, “Enabling access to mental health care and treatment is an integral part of finding long-term solutions.”

In DHCC, close to 30 clinical partners offer services in mental health issues that affect children and adults alike. Last year, more than 16,000 patients visited these clinics.