Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DHA launched the Mental Wealth Framework, a first-of-its-kind in any city to ensure the mental wellbeing of Dubai’s residents. Contributing directly to Dubai’s aspirations of leading in quality of life, it also supports the aspirational objectives set out by the Dubai Social Agenda 33.
PC: Arabian Business
Vision and Objectives
His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of DHA, indicated that this framework had been approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to keep Dubai on the path of development, establishing it as an enterprising city. The aim is to integrate health in the broader issues of health and welfare of the community, with a focus on meeting the needs from modern fast lifestyles.
Strategic Goals
The Mental Wealth Framework outlines several strategic objectives:
- Comprehensive Care Model: Design a holistic model of care that comprises the various aspects of prevention, early detection, intervention, and improvement of mental well-being.
- Targeted Support: Develop specialised initiatives for people who are vulnerable, such as the elderly, children, people of determination, and those who have chronic illnesses.
- Educational Empowerment: Empowerment to the educator and parents to facilitate the development of psychological resilience and well-being in children/students.
- Innovation and Research: Provide for research activities that would inform evidence-based practices to ensure continuous improvement in psychological and community stability.
Initiatives and Implementation
The framework involves ten key initiatives to be delivered in the next five years, at an estimated investment of AED 105 million ($28.5 mn). These initiatives are efforts aimed at elevating Dubai’s status by integrating mental health considerations into everyday life, thus enhancing quality of life and happiness among residents.
Collaborative Approach
Al Ketbi called for cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and members of society with a view to pooling resources together and building on specialised expertise to maximise the impact that the Mental Wealth Framework can make by ensuring the adoption of best practice worldwide.
Integration with Dubai Social Agenda 33
This framework was drafted in support of the broader Dubai Social Agenda 33, which is directed toward positioning Dubai as one of the global cities with the best standard of living and best life expectancy. With greater emphasis on mental wellbeing, Dubai increases its appeal for living, working, and visiting.
In other words, the newly launched Mental Wealth Framework by the Dubai Health Authority is a quantum leap to get mental well-being to become one of the underpinning blocks of health in the community. With innovation at its core, inclusivity, and strategic partnerships, Dubai is sure to set new standards in global mental health initiatives that will secure a vibrant, resilient community for many years to come.
By adopting these comprehensive measures, Dubai not only strives for results related to individual well-being but also works to create a stronger social fabric as a whole—making it such a model for other cities to attempt in their agendas the positioning of mental health into their development.
