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POST-COVID19 WELL-BEING AND HAPPINESS POLICY IMPLICATIONS IN THE UAE

POST-COVID19 WELL-BEING AND HAPPINESS POLICY IMPLICATIONS IN THE UAE

Published on:December 2021
Delivery Language: English
Non-Resident Authors: Irina Godchaux Berezhnova
Genre: Healthcare
Category: Health Policy
Filetype: pdf
Filesize: 507 KB

Details

The increasing prevalence of mental health problems and other emotional well-being conditions related to the COVID-19 epidemics is becoming an alarm worldwide. According to recent studies from the UK, US, and many other countries, they strongly affect the world’s population. The UAE is facing significant cases of anxiety and depression in its population, and it is creating pressure on the country’s healthcare spending. Evidence shows that having positive psychological characteristics, quality and quantity of social relationships were associated with better protection of well-being and increased life satisfaction during the pandemic. On the contrary, pre-existing mental health conditions, loneliness, poor social support were associated with decreased life satisfaction. The ultimate way of controlling the problem is to move forward and prioritize mental health education, improve social connectivity amongst different population groups, and offer sufficient and high-quality mental health support via different channels, including online services. Population happiness and well-being have been a critical area of focus for the Dubai government. It aligns with the Dubai health strategy 2031. Many initiatives have been currently implemented in the country. However, they might need to be united into one overarching policy that prioritizes mental health education and awareness for all and public health system strengthening by integrating Mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) into it, including emergency mental health services. Through the policy, the government needs to work with the private sector, NGOs, scientific society, and all other relevant parties that assist in educating and providing MHPSS and have a concern for the current problem. The policy brief focuses on three main targets, which are education about the importance of emotional well-being, making MHPSS services more accessible via promoting telemedicine/online counseling, and involving private sector (business structures, banks, insurance companies) in financing the mental health services expenses as well as improving social connectivity of people. Addressing the problem will take a population-based approach. Dubai government is required to assist in the facilitation of precise interventions. The stakeholders, including government, international organizations, civil societies and NGOs, private sector, schools, parents and guardians, children, health experts, community, and media, would cover all elements of influence and support. We expect that the policy intervention results would include reduced reported levels of anxiety, depression, and others, increased reported coverage and access to the online MHPSS, and the level of satisfaction.

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