Depression was the most common mental health disorder among young people using psychiatric services in Dubai, a new research has found.
Specialists from Zayed University, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and Rashid Hospital found almost half of those under 20 who attended for professional help were Emiratis. Their average age was 15.
Researchers focused on young people’s understanding of mental health services in a rare UAE-focused study on the issue.
Younger people tend to bounce back quicker than older adults, and it usually takes less time for them to overcome the mental health challenges they face
Retrospective data was collected from Rashid Hospital Child Psychiatry Service and records of patients aged 12 to 19 from 2011-2016 were analysed. The results were published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems.
Of the 99 patients whose records were checked, 47 per cent were Emirati, 22 per cent were from other Middle Eastern countries, 13 per cent were from elsewhere in Asia, 10 per cent were African and the rest were European, American or Australian.
Information collected included demographics, life stressors, duration of symptoms, main diagnosis and presence or absence of psychotic features.
The symptoms of psychosis include delusions, or false beliefs and false perceptions, and hallucinations, or seeing and hearing things that are not real.
Depressive disorder was the most common diagnosis in the sample analysed, followed by bipolar and related disorders, and anxiety.
Schizophrenia, a serious disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally, and other forms of psychosis were also seen in patients.
Although not involved with the research, counsellor Marie Byrne, who runs a wellness clinic in Dubai, said the study exposed familiar trends.
“The research shows young Emiratis are well equipped to acknowledge their identity and seek help,” she said.
“Peer interaction is very important and we have seen young people struggle when they were unable to do that during periods of the pandemic.
“Younger people tend to bounce back quicker than older adults, and it usually takes less time for them to overcome the mental health challenges they face.
“Typically, they have less emotional baggage and their optimism and hope has not been dimmed by too many disappointments.”
Young people of other nationalities were more likely to report relationships with friends as a source of stress.
Young women were more likely to confide in family members and talk of stressful relationships, and receive a diagnosis of depression.
Poor family relationships led more people to seek professional help, and non-Emirati youths were more likely to discuss concerns with friends, the research found.
The study said more education was needed of young males to show how to spot early signs of poor mental health and how to access help.
In the reports analysed, researchers said the appearance of psychotic symptoms led to faster medical interventions, but the presence of self-harm behaviour or anxiety caused people to delay seeking treatment.
Ms Byrne said parents can spot early warning signs of depression, such as a reluctance to engage in family activities or meals and a desire to spend time alone.
“If a young person does not communicate, that can be a red flag,” she said.
“Younger adults have within themselves the answers to what has triggered their feelings.
“But there is a natural anxiety about performance or being good enough that will always be there in natural self-image issues. It can get in the way of young people.”
MindTales, a tech startup in Abu Dhabi, aims to offer specific mental health solutions for young people.
The company’s app offers mental health support in Arabic and English.
Users can try self-help exercises to unlock mental challenges they face.
The app also offers related games, challenges and self-monitoring options to gain feedback on the progress made.
“The app allows users to monitor their progress and detect mental health warning signs early on,” said Viktorija Aksionova, the company’s chief executive and co-founder.
“For users who are struggling, MindTales provides intervention features to connect them with certified counsellors and coaches.”
MindTales is conducting clinical trials with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) and universities, including Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi, to understand more about the demands of mental health in young people and how they can be addressed.
“Culturally informed digital wellness support systems like this are the next step to revolutionise mental health accessibility amongst the region’s youth,” Ms Aksionova said.
A mental health retreat in Hatta - in pictures
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
