Dubai: Online therapy, apps, wearables to boost mental health services for residents

Dubai is increasingly integrating digital health services into its mental healthcare system, embracing innovative teletherapy solutions powered by advanced technologies. These developments include AI-driven mental health assessments and secure digital platforms for remote consultations, allowing individuals to receive care in the comfort of their homes.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently announced new standards aiming to integrate digital health services and teletherapy, adopting the latest global guidelines in virtual care to ensure high-quality psychological consultations while maintaining patient confidentiality and accessibility to services.

Under these new standards, Dubai’s hospitals and clinics are enhancing their telemedicine services, allowing patients to remotely speak with licensed mental health professionals through virtual consultations.

Broadening services

“We feel this will begin a new era and significantly improve the quality of care, reducing mental health stigma and providing accessibility. There is no health without mental health. This will further strengthen the traditional mental health services in the UAE, like in the UK, Canada, and the US,” noted Dr Mahesh Cirasanambati, managing director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Burjeel Holdings.

“There will be more awareness and privacy for the individuals in their home environment, where they feel safer and calmer. This initiative will also improve compliance and engagement in therapeutic interventions,” Dr Mahesh added.

The updated standards emphasise evidence-based therapeutic protocols, drawing on recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA), to ensure effective treatment plans are grounded in the latest research.

The DHA also established clear guidelines for licensing and registration processes, ensuring that services are delivered by qualified professionals, with well-defined roles and responsibilities, enhancing service efficiency and improving the quality of care provided.

Monitoring patients’ emotional well-being

Dubai’s mental healthcare landscape is also evolving with the use of AI-based mental health assessments, mobile apps for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and wearable technologies to monitor patients’ emotional well-being in real time.

“These innovations help bridge the gap between patients and mental health professionals, ensuring timely intervention and continuous support.” Dr Raga Sandhya, specialist in Psychiatry at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai explained.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has facilitated the availability of licensed psychologists and psychiatrists through telemedicine platforms, reducing wait times and improving convenience for patients.

“Virtual consultations and mental health apps now offer services in multiple languages, ensuring inclusivity for Dubai’s diverse population. AI-Powered Chatbots – Automated mental health assistants provide preliminary assessments and guidance, allowing individuals to seek help without stigma or fear,” added Sandhya.

Affordable solutions for all

The government has teamed up with private healthcare providers to offer cost-effective digital mental health solutions, making services more affordable and widely accessible.

“Apps equipped with evidence-based therapeutic exercises, mindfulness practices, and mood-tracking features allow users to engage in self-care and connect with professionals when necessary. The integration of digital health solutions will complement, rather than replace, traditional mental healthcare. It will enhance accessibility, reduce the burden on in-person facilities, and improve early intervention efforts,” Dr Cirasanambati explained.

Digital tools, including remote counseling, AI-powered diagnostics, and mobile apps, will allow for continuous monitoring and intervention outside clinical settings.

However, traditional in-person care will still be necessary for severe cases that require intensive therapy or hospitalisation. This combination of digital and traditional methods aims to create a hybrid model, ensuring a more efficient and comprehensive mental health system in the UAE.

Dr Younis Kazim, acting CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the DHA, explained that the new standards were developed in coordination with a select group of experts and specialists, in collaboration with international organisations such as the Health Standards Organization/Accreditation Canada, to ensure alignment with global best practices while considering local privacy needs.

Katerina Tarasova, executive vice President at Health Standards Organization (HSO) Canada, commended the DHA’s commitment to improving mental healthcare, stating: “The evolution of mental health care in the emirate reflects the Dubai Health Authority’s commitment to the health and well-being of the population, as the standards and newly developed scope of practice are based on best international practices, contributing to further integrating mental health services within Dubai’s healthcare system.”

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