Expats, young women more prone to disorders

Depression, anxiety, tiredness and lack of sleep were among the most common problems revealed by the study that was carried out in 12 primary healthcare centres last year and was aimed at raising awareness on the seriousness of the issue among policymakers and the community.

“The percentage of those suffering from mental health problems is high in the UAE and can be attributed to environmental and social factors,” said Dr Muna Al Kuwari, Director of Central Department of Primary Healthcare at the ministry during the first UAE conference on Mental Health in Primary Care – Our Vision 2020.Though 74 per cent of the 1,800 participants aged 15-90 of the study were UAE nationals, more of expatriates were found to be suffering from mental problems.

The study also found that women aged between 17-25 years had more problems related to depression and anxiety. A second study carried out among 1,915 high school students from Dubai and Northern Emirates this year revealed that males were more prone to adolescent depression.

The students with a hobby, positive religious attitude and never having dropping a class had a lesser rate of mental health issues. “These studies have pointed out the need for early treatment and timely strategies which is now our goal,” said Dr Muna.

Integration of mental health treatment in primary care settings by the ministry started off with a pilot project in Ras Al Khaimah in 2008. Since then, the programme has been expanded to include 14 centres while 37 primary care doctors and six psychologists have been trained for facilities in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

“We have trained staff to pick up the disorders and prescribe legally allowed mild psychotropic drugs,” she said. “But if the case is severe, we refer it to secondary care.”

Experts, however, said that multiple challenges were yet to be overcome for a sustainable system to be in place. According to Dr Mustafa Afifi, Consultant, Public Health and Primary Mental Healthcare, only a few cases of mental illnesses were being detected due to a low level of control in the healthcare settings.

He also said that scarcity of physicians and psychologists, overcoming stigma and lack of research were hampering government efforts to provide a suitable level of care. “There is a rapid turnover and an urgent need for social workers as well,” he added.

By 2020, depression will be among the top illnesses, he said in his presentation, adding that mental health issues were related to major public health issues such as road traffic accidents.

“Our goals are to eliminate stigma, ensure patients’ rights and also deliver child and adolescent mental health services,” he added.

While inaugurating the two-day conference, Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Health, said that the ministry’s new strategy was to provide psychiatric healthcare services in the UAE in primary healthcare clinics. According to the World Health Organization, about 80 per cent of depression patients can be treated through the efficiency of doctors. —asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com.

• UAE