SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
World Mental Health Day, marked on October 10 under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, highlights the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health challenges and strengthening support in the UAE.
Three mental health specialists highlighted how personal experiences can help reduce stigma, improve services, and encourage individuals to seek support.
Dr. Reena Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, at Medeor Hospital, Dubai said involving people with lived experience helps reduce stigma and make mental health services more responsive to individual needs.
“It helps transform textbook knowledge into tailored, practical approaches based on what people actually experience,” she said.
Dr. Thomas stressed the importance of creating safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges without fear of judgement.
Families should listen without dismissing concerns, while workplaces should introduce supportive policies.
“The first practical step is therefore to build a culture of listening, where we ask, listen, and create a safe space for people to talk openly,” she said.
Highlighting UAE initiatives, including Dubai’s Itma’en services and the Sahatna app, Dr. Thomas said greater emphasis is being placed on community wellbeing, mental health awareness and accessible support.
"Emotions are real, not an excuse. Lived experience is not a weakness. It can guide a meaningful shift in how we approach mental health. If you have lived through anxiety, panic attacks, stress and burnout, suppressed anger, or untold grief, your story matters," she added.
Arathi Vijayan, Clinical Psychologist, Burjeel by the Beach Clinic, Saadiyat Island said people with lived experience offer practical insights that professionals may not fully understand, including challenges related to accessing services, treatment costs, and recovery.
“They can offer valuable insights on practical matters such as which services felt dismissive, how long it took to feel better, financial constraints, and available resources,” she said.
Vijayan emphasised respectful communication and workplace environments where employees can discuss mental health without fearing judgement or professional consequences.
“What they need is a helpful ear, not judgments and solutions,” she said, stressing that listening should result in meaningful action.
In the UAE, she highlighted expanded mental health services in Abu Dhabi, including their integration into primary care and initiatives such as “Beauty of Our Minds”, which encourages open discussions.
"This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to recognize the value of good mental health. The old saying tells us that a healthy mind lives in a healthy body, but the reverse is just as true: a healthy mind is the foundation of a healthy life," she said.
Dr. Bino Mary Chacko, Specialist Psychiatrist , Lifecare Hospital, Musaffah, said involving people with lived experience can improve mental health policies, strengthen trust, and encourage individuals to seek professional support.
“People with lived experience provide real-life insights that research alone cannot fully capture,” she said, highlighting the importance of personalised care and peer support.
Dr. Chacko stressed that families should be involved in recovery, while workplaces should provide confidential support, mental health training, and clear policies.
"Most importantly, listening should lead to action. People should feel that sharing their experience can influence how support is designed and delivered," she said.
She also highlighted the UAE’s growing emphasis on awareness campaigns, workplace wellbeing programmes and peer support initiatives to make mental health services more accessible.
"Listening to people who have faced mental health challenges can help us build services that are more compassionate, practical, and effective, while creating a community where seeking support is treated as a normal and important part of health care," she concluded.