SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
SAKINA for Children, recently launched by PureHealth, offers integrated mental healthcare for children and adolescents up to the age of 18 across Abu Dhabi, ensuring earlier access to mental health support through a family-centred model aligned with the UAE's Year of Family.
The initiative combines outpatient services, early intervention programmes and specialised inpatient care for children and adolescents. It offers assessments and treatment for conditions including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as psychiatric, developmental, behavioural, speech and occupational therapy services using internationally recognised assessment frameworks.
SAKINA for Children has a capacity to support nearly 500 children each month, and services are delivered in Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam.
Helping Children Reach Their Potential
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr Zain Ali Al Yafei, Chief Executive Officer, SAKINA, said the launch marks a significant step towards improving access to specialised mental healthcare for children and adolescents, with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention and family-centred care.
He said the new network is designed to meet growing demand for specialised child and adolescent mental health services through a dedicated, integrated model of care, shorten waiting times, strengthen collaboration with schools and families, and enable children to receive support at an earlier stage.
"Through early intervention, school partnerships, neurodevelopmental services, family support, youth engagement, and community-based prevention programmes, we aim to reduce the burden of mental illness, improve educational and social outcomes, strengthen family resilience, and promote healthier developmental trajectories."
He said the long-term goal is to shift the focus from treating mental illness to promoting wellbeing and resilience. "Our vision is for every child and young person to have timely access to the right support, at the right time, in the right setting, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential."
Complex Mental Health Needs on the Rise
Speaking about the main mental challenges facing children and adolescents, Dr Al Yafei pointed to increasingly complex mental health needs, rising rates of neurodevelopmental conditions, younger children seeking support, excessive screen use and the need for greater family involvement.
At the same time, the complex nature of the challenges necessitates closer collaboration between healthcare, schools and families.
"We also recognise that many children fall through the gaps between healthcare, education, and social services, often receiving support only after difficulties have become severe. SAKINA for Children was created as a comprehensive ecosystem of care."
An Integrated Model of Care
Highlighting the importance of early intervention, he said identifying developmental, behavioural and emotional concerns as early as possible can significantly improve lifelong outcomes.
"Early intervention is one of the most powerful investments we can make in a child's future," he said. "At SAKINA, we have created clear and accessible pathways that enable families to seek support without unnecessary delays," he added.
Dr Al Yafei said one of the network's key strengths is its integrated model of care, bringing psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and allied health professionals together to provide coordinated support tailored to each child.
"Parents consistently tell us that the greatest relief comes from knowing they are no longer navigating their child's journey alone."
According to Dr Al Yafei, early and accurate assessments help children access the right therapies and support at the right time. "Childhood is a period of extraordinary brain development, making it the ideal time to intervene when concerns first emerge," he said.
"Addressing challenges early can strengthen communication, emotional regulation, learning, and social development while reducing the risk of more significant mental health difficulties later in life," he added.
Growing Awareness
When asked about the emerging trends and challenges in paediatric mental healthcare, Dr Al Yafei drew attention to the significant increase in families seeking support, particularly for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD, as well as anxiety, emotional difficulties, and behavioural challenges. "This growing awareness is encouraging because it means families are seeking help earlier than ever before," he said.
Dr Al Yafei said that the launch of SAKINA for Children represents an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's commitment to children's health and wellbeing.
"Our vision extends beyond treating illness, we aim to help every child reach their full potential by promoting resilience, healthy development, and emotional wellbeing."