DoH Shifts to Proactive, Person-Centred Mental Healthcare Model
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is continuing to strengthen the emirate's mental healthcare ecosystem, shifting from reactive treatment toward proactive, person-centred care aimed at improving quality of life and addressing individual needs. The department said its strategy centres on providing continuous support while expanding access to mental health services across Abu Dhabi.
As part of the initiative, DoH plans to double patient capacity over the next two years. The number of mental health professionals working in the emirate has grown 81 per cent since 2022, while 1,930 family physicians have been trained to diagnose and manage common mental health conditions at primary healthcare centres, extending support beyond specialist clinics into everyday community care.
Network Now Spans 143 Facilities, Including Advanced Treatment Options
Mental healthcare in Abu Dhabi is now supported by a network of 143 facilities, including 13 specialised centres staffed by 640 qualified professionals. The expansion follows a series of targeted initiatives in recent years, including a dedicated child and adolescent mental health network and the opening of the Sakina Centre for Advanced Care for depression and psychiatric emergencies, alongside a 24/7 mental health support hotline.
DoH has also introduced advanced therapeutic options, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), an evidence-based, non-invasive and non-pharmacological treatment, broadening the range of innovative mental health services available across the emirate. Officials said the combination of expanded workforce, wider primary-care training and new treatment technologies is intended to make mental healthcare more accessible and to catch conditions earlier, in line with Abu Dhabi's wider push toward preventive, person-centred healthcare.
