ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) in collaboration with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, successfully concluded the second edition of the Abu Dhabi International Mental Health Conference (ADIMHC).
The two-day hybrid event, held on the 28th and 29th of January 2022, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, welcomed over 2,300 delegates as part of its largest edition to date.
On the opening day of ADIMHC, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Under-Secretary at the DoH, showcased the department’s new mental health model and asserted Abu Dhabi’s commitment to improving the quality of life for patients suffering from mental and psychological illnesses. The model will utilise international best practices in accordance with the highest regional and international standards, positioning healthcare in the UAE amongst the best in the world.
The model will also integrate an advanced mental health workforce into the primary care community, launch a comprehensive regulatory framework dedicated to the delivery of mental health care services and a psychological wellbeing tracking system.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department rolled out several initiatives and partnered with a number of entities to ensure mental health support is available for all members of our community. We joined forces with the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing to launch 800 HOPE, a mental help support line dedicated to providing safe and confidential counselling around the clock. Similarly, we collaborated with the Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and SEHA to support residents facing mental pressure through the Istijaba call centre,” Al Kaabi said.
Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, spoke about the importance of community mental health, the role of educational and awareness campaigns and the role of society as a whole in improving awareness and early detection.
Dr. Nahida Niaz Ahmed, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the Behavioral Health Council at SEHA, said, “We are extremely proud to work with the DOH in creating a health system that prioritises mental health. We would like to thank the DOH for their continued collaboration and for spearheading a much-needed change in the society’s outlook towards mental health patients.”
The conference featured an entire section on the integration of psychiatry with multiple disciplines to address mental health challenges faced by patients suffering from chronic diseases.
Source: Emirates News Agency
