UAE: Mental health support amid Covid only a call away now

Dubai - 'The UAE Red Crescent has taken care of the families of those who have sadly died of the virus'

by Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Wed 17 Feb 2021, 3:10 AM

With the pandemic wreaking havoc on several aspects of life, the UAE Government has made the wellbeing of citizens and residents a top priority.

Mona Khalil, director of the government communications department at the Ministry of Community Development, on Tuesday explained how the country’s leadership has exerted every effort to support the mental health of the community.

“The impact that may arise from the pandemic was considered in order to support the community through initiatives and preventive means and ensure safety and stability,” she said.

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A mental health helpline was launched for frontline workers, allocating a separate telephone line to provide moral support to the UAE’s first line of defence.

Another support line was extended to residents, helping them tackle psychological challenges while ensuring their privacy, said Al Khalil.

The UAE has also helped allay fears of those suffering from severe Covid-19 by providing stem cell treatment free of cost.

“Then, the UAE Red Crescent has taken care of the families of those who have sadly died of the virus. These include people of all nationalities living in the UAE,” she explained.

Another initiative, called ‘We Are Your Family’, was launched specifically for senior citizens and to promote family cohesion. Then, a campaign titled ‘You are important’ was introduced to help workers pay attention to their mental health.

The Ministry of Community Development continues to provide family counselling remotely through the Taalouf initiative. A seven-week national mental support campaign ‘Don’t worry’ was also rolled out through social media platforms, generating more than 900,000 interactions and participation from across the community.

“We emphasise the importance of mental wellness and providing the necessary mental support to all segments of society, especially children and the elderly, and educating them about positive practices and activities supporting mental wellness.”

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com