Dubai Health Authority (DHA), under the leadership of Dr. Hind Al Awadhi, Head of the Health Promotion and Education Department, is actively developing a five-year strategy aimed at enhancing the psychological well-being of both citizens and residents of Dubai.

This ambitious initiative involves nine pivotal projects dedicated to improving mental health and elevating the overall quality of life in the Emirate.

In an interview with 'The Emirates Today', Dr. Al Awadhi emphasized the importance of aligning the strategy with Dubai's rapid advancement in prosperity and welfare, and with the vision of making Dubai the happiest city globally.

Paramount to this initiative is a comprehensive training program on psychological first aid, which has successfully completed its initial phase and will enter its second phase by early next year.

The strategy also encompasses widespread awareness campaigns.

These campaigns aim to educate the public about mental health and associated disorders.

This is part of a sustained effort across the five-year strategic timeline.

Another critical aspect of the strategy is community screening and early intervention for mental health issues, supported by the publication of the guide 'Why We Should Perform Early Detection?'.

This guide is now available in all health centers and hospitals across Dubai, and includes training for doctors on early detection competencies.

Early detection screenings are designed to be universally accessible during any routine clinic visit, whether it's for general practitioners or family doctors.

This initiative emphasizes the evaluation for prevalent mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Additionally, the strategy prioritizes incorporating findings from leading research and companies in the mental health sector, setting rigorous standards and developing training plans for the workforce.

The strategy extends its focus to the academic sector, improving mental health awareness among students in schools.

DHA has provided specialized training for educators, administrative staff, and medical professionals in Dubai's private schools.

The first cohort of administrators and nurses has already been trained, with plans to begin training a second cohort next year.

Workshops for parents have also been implemented to educate them on key signs to watch for in their children, such as social withdrawal or academic decline.

These workshops stress the importance of open dialogue between parents and their children, enabling parents to stay informed about the various aspects of their children's lives.

Dr. Al Awadhi highlighted the necessity of early diagnosis and intervention, which can reveal signs of potential psychological challenges.

Through a structured series of screenings, individuals are encouraged to seek professional advice if they experience symptoms related to common disorders, leading to an informed final analysis following several check-ups.

Dubai aspires to rank among the top 10 cities globally in terms of improving quality of life, a goal that is central to this comprehensive strategy.

The DHA also organized a family festival at XPark by Etisalat in Kite Beach, Dubai, on December 7th and 8th, under the theme 'Cherishing Our Family Moments'.

This festival is part of ongoing activities under the 'Psychological Well-being Strategy' initiative.

Dr. Al Awadhi reiterated the strategy’s commitment to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and people of determination, who are statistically more susceptible to mental health challenges.

Specific awareness campaigns are in progress to cater to these groups and their caregivers, ensuring they receive the psychological support they need.