You do not have to cope alone: 10 Free UAE mental health services
Dubai: If you are finding things difficult right now, you are not the only one. And you do not have to manage it by yourself.
Across the UAE, there are a number of free, confidential services available to residents who need someone to talk to, whether that is for anxiety, sleep difficulties, family stress, or something more serious. Here is a straightforward guide to what is available and how to reach it.
1. Sakina Mental Health Helpline
The Sakina helpline offers confidential emotional support for individuals going through stress, anxiety, or personal challenges.
Call: 800 725462
It is available to anyone in the UAE seeking guidance or simply someone to listen.
Itma’en Community Mental Health Hotline
Itma’en provides community-based mental health support, helping individuals navigate emotional wellbeing and mental health concerns.
Call: 800 506
The service is designed to offer accessible and compassionate support across the UAE.
3. Abu Dhabi: Estijaba helpline
Residents in Abu Dhabi can access psychological support through the Estijaba helpline, staffed by trained medical professionals from the Abu Dhabi health authority Seha.
Call: 800 1717
4. MedicoArabia mental health helpline
MedicoArabia has launched a dedicated mental health line specifically to support people affected by the current situation, including those experiencing anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, emotional distress, or crisis situations.
The service offers 24/7 access to licensed professionals, trauma-informed counselling, audio and text consultations, crisis support, and multilingual assistance across the UAE.
Call or WhatsApp: +971 56 900 5443 or +971 50 159 0070
5. Aster DM healthcare: Free online consultations
For the next three days, Aster DM Healthcare is offering free online mental well-being video consultations via the myAster app. These are available across the UAE and allow you to speak confidentially with a licensed psychologist from home.
Download the myAster app to access this service.
6. Taalouf family counselling
If family stress or relationship pressures are weighing on you, the Taalouf family counselling free phone line connects callers with specialist consultants who can offer practical advice and support.
Call: 800623
The service is free and open to all members of the public.
7. UAE Unified family counselling portal
The government's Unified Family Counselling Portal offers five types of support: family counselling, social counselling, psychological counselling, and legal consultations. You can request an immediate consultation, a video call, or direct communication with a consultant.
Hospital and clinic-based services
For those who need more structured or ongoing care, the following services are available:
8. Dubai
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital is the first internationally accredited mental health facility in the Middle East, serving patients across Dubai and the Northern Emirates. It offers outpatient clinics for children, adults, the elderly, and people of determination, as well as addiction and forensic psychiatry services. Visit: dha.gov.ae
9. Abu Dhabi
Seha provides psychiatry services across the emirate. Visit: seha.ae
10. UAE-wide
Emirates Health Services offers access to mental health services nationally. Visit: ehs.gov.ae
Reaching out is not a sign of weakness. Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsettled during difficult times is a completely normal human response. These services exist precisely for moments like this, and every single one of them is there to help.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please do not wait.
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Areeba Hashmi is a trainee at Gulf News.
