The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has introduced a new Dhs105 million Mental Wealth Framework aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing for residents of the city. This initiative was unveiled under the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who serves as the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE.

The framework includes 10 key initiatives that will be rolled out over the next five years and is part of the broader Dubai Social Agenda 33. This agenda’s primary goal is to position Dubai as the world’s best destination for living, working, and visiting.

The Mental Wealth Framework will address all segments of society, with a particular emphasis on the elderly, children, and people of determination. The initiatives will focus on the early detection of factors that may affect an individual’s mental or emotional state and will seek to enhance the necessary care, support, and counselling services. This comprehensive approach will cover everything from early detection to intervention, enhancement, and prevention of mental health issues.

Moreover, the framework allocates time and budget for research and innovation within the mental wellbeing sector, aligning with Dubai’s commitment to making decisions grounded in research and innovation. Additional strategic objectives include promoting ongoing research and studies to measure psychological and community stability, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and people of determination.

To ensure its effectiveness, the framework has been benchmarked against the six best global models in the field, aiming for maximum positive impact on mental health in the community.