Mental health overhaul planned


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ABU DHABI // Mental health care in Abu Dhabi is to be overhauled as the Government attempts to tackle public attitudes and gaps in treatment and funding. The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) is researching how access to care can be increased and paid for while looking at ways to change perceptions of a traditionally taboo subject.

Mental health care in the UAE is haphazard, with a lack of psychiatrists and hospitals and no standardised means of funding treatment. Dr Oliver Harrison, the authority's director of public health and policy, said: "The authority is going through all our regulatory policies and standards to close up the gaps that we have." He said HAAD was investigating how services could be better paid for, as most private insurance plans do not cover mental health. It will consider what combination of private contribution, government payment and insurance coverage best suits Abu Dhabi's needs.

"We would want to look at whether the government would directly pay for services for mental health care, or whether there are sources of funding, other than health insurance," said Dr Harrison. "Typically, where health insurance does not cover a condition, there are other options. The first is the Government pays, [perhaps through] setting up a charity fund. Another is that people pay out of pocket."

People with mental health conditions can have difficulty paying for their treatment, he said, because of the effect the stigma can have on their lives. He said that educating Emiratis about mental health was also key to improving the services, and that HAAD was conducting research into perceptions. "We are trying to understand in Abu Dhabi, in the individual communities, why mental illness appears to be more stigmatising, in 2008, than it is in many other countries.

"There is something in the nature of mental health problems that makes people feel embarrassed or ashamed. It's deserving of sympathy to have a heart attack or cancer, but it's not OK to have depression, substance misuse, a personality disorder or schizophrenia." Dr Layla Asamarai, the head of psychology at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, said: "The biggest hindrance is a lack of knowledge about what psychological care means. Often people are very worried that you'll think they're crazy, but they're not, they're just troubled."

Dr Sana Hawamdeh, assistant professor of mental health and behavioural sciences at Sharjah University, said often mental illness was mistaken for people with bad attitudes. "They say she's having a breakdown, that it's her nerves, her way. They describe women as nakadah - the one who makes other people's lives hell. The problem is part of her personality and nothing unusual." Dr Asamarai said the stigma even prevented people from studying psychology, leading to a lack of Emirati counsellors.

"It is hard for an Emirati woman to study psychology because men won't marry them. They think that they might 'catch crazy' from their patients. The stigma runs very deep." Dr Harrison said the HAAD would also push to get more GPs involved in the treatment of mild mental health issues, such as depression, to base treatment in the community and reduce stigma. Currently, many doctors feel unequipped to deal with the situation, either choosing to ignore or downplay the problem.

"We want to make sure that people receive treatment in an environment most appropriate to their condition," said Dr Harrison. "In the West, you see psychiatric hospitals used for just psychosis, which is where people have a distorted picture of reality, as opposed to more common disorders such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders." He said for many patients, receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital disrupted their lives and could damage their reputation.

"People might create rumours or feel embarrassed or ashamed about the fact that they have psychiatric disorders. "We do believe that a substantial proportion of GP consultations are mental health related, and those mental health problems can present in a variety of different ways, including chest pain, pains around the body, headaches, nerves, anxiety, stress, alcoholism, substance misuse. "They should also be aware of what counselling services offer by psychologists, religious groups and support groups within their community, so they can give advice to people about where they should turn to next."

Dr Yousef Abou Allaban, a psychiatrist from the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology in Abu Dhabi, said it was important to train GPs in how to deal with mental health complaints if they are to become the service's "gatekeepers". "To people here, trained in general medicine, psychiatry is a taboo - mental health is a taboo. This can lead to situations where doctors are either unaware that their patients have mental health issues, or do not know what to do about it.

"GPs are just not aware of the issue," said Dr Hawamdeh. "In the medical curriculum there is not a focus on mental health. The doctors in community health centres say they're not qualified because they have not had enough courses, they are even worried about referral." he HAAD plans to have its new policy document published within 12 months. The proposed changes would only affect Abu Dhabi but the mental health problem is so significant that other health authorities are also looking at it.

The Ministry of Health announced last month that it would be including psychological tests in a health survey of children. Dubai Health Authority is consulting professionals from around the world on mental health provision. Mental health care is split into two fields. Psychiatrists are medically-trained doctors who specialise in treating mental disorders. Some have undergone extra training in therapy. A psychologist has not trained in medicine. The National has reported how haphazard services have allowed some psychologists to illegally prescribe drugs for their patients.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Jordan cabinet changes

In

  • Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
  • Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
  • Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
  • Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
  • Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
  • Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth

Out

  • Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
  • Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
  • Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
  • Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
  • Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
  • Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
  • Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
  • Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
  • Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Gunn%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Dave%20Bautista%2C%20Vin%20Diesel%2C%20Bradley%20Cooper%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Results:

5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel

if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip 

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.