UAE, 5 October, 2016 – The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) plans to launch an awareness campaign to promote awareness of mental health and mental disorders ranging from 10 to 17 Octoberunder the slogan “Live Life” in conjunction with the World Mental Health Day by organizing a launching ceremony in the MOHAP on October 10, 2016.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of mental disorders, specifically anxiety and depression, which are more common disorders, according to research, as well as clarify the vision and objectives of the MOHAP National Mental Health Programme and what has been achieved up to the present time as well as to clarify the projects and future plans.

The awareness campaign will include awareness lectures and distribution of booklets about depression and anxiety and conducting a screening for anxiety and depression in Primary Health Care centers, shopping malls and universities. Moreover, awareness programs will be conducted by MOHAP mental health professionals in local radio and television channels and MOHAP social media platforms.

Dr. Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of the MOHAP’s Health Centers and Clinics Sector stated that the vision of the MOHAP National Mental Health program is the provision of quality mental health services that are cost-effective and accessible to all people. The strategic objectives include promoting mental health awareness, changing community negative perceptions toward mental health problems and promoting screening and early detection of mental disorders, and development of a national statistical database on mental health disorders. He emphasized that integrating mental health services into the Primary Health Care is a priority.

Dr. Youssif Al Serkal Assistant Undersecretary of the MOHAP’s Hospital Sector added that the MOHAP National Mental Health Program aims to provide quality health services for all age groups and develop Community Mental Health services for those with chronic mental illness to reduce the impact of mental disorders on individuals, families and the community and help integrating them into the society, in addition to support scientific research in the field of mental health.