Dr. Nayef Al Mutawa, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Kuwait University, revealed that 4% of the UAE population suffer from clinical depression, of whom 2% are willing to seek help, while young people in the Gulf region suffer similar levels of depression in the West.
During a lecture at the Council of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Al Mutawa said that more than 615 million cases of anxiety and depression were diagnosed worldwide, while by 2020 depression will be the main cause. For disability around the world.
Yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamed, and a number of ministers and officials organized a lecture entitled "Improving Mental Health".
Al-Mutawa said that mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar mood disorder, phobias, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders, are all health conditions that affect an individual's thinking, emotions and behavior. To focus and make decisions.
"Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental illnesses, with more than 615 million cases diagnosed worldwide. By 2020, depression will be the leading cause of disability worldwide after cardiovascular disease, and is now the most common disease in women in the region." Middle East and North Africa".
“The culture of shame associated with mental illness is a major barrier to its treatment worldwide, especially in the Arab region. Those suffering from such diseases may be reluctant to seek help for social reasons. It can also lead to reduced employment opportunities, family and community acceptance of the patient, as well as bullying and harassment. "
Al Mutawa pointed out that according to a survey conducted by UK firm YouGov, which specializes in market research and data analysis, 4% of the UAE population suffer from clinical depression, and less than half of the respondents expressed their willingness to seek help if they suffer from psychological disorder.
He explained that mental health problems are spreading all over the world and have a major impact on the global economy, noting that according to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety will cost the global economy about $ 1 trillion productive losses, and by 2030, the estimated cost of mental health problems on the economy Global, $ 16 trillion.
"At present, no country is able to deal with the mental health crisis effectively, especially since 75% of all mental illnesses start before the age of 24, half of them before the age of 14," said Al Mutawa.
"In the United States, a doctor commits suicide every day. In Britain, stress, depression or anxiety make up 44% of all work-related illnesses, with 1.4 million people suffering from the effects. Work-related stress and anxiety cause 57% of work days to be lost." ".
The lecturer pointed out that Canada became the first country to set a national standard for mental health in the workplace, in 2013, where it is supervised by the government-funded Mental Health Committee. Senior managers oversee the process, and even measure the results of new initiatives.
In 2013, depression accounted for 44.6% of all mental illnesses in the Eastern Mediterranean. While young people in the Gulf region suffer from similar levels of depression to their Western counterparts, the people of Arab countries that have recently suffered from armed conflict are affected by depression. more.
Al-Mutawa touched on the mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy, explaining that people do not worry about things themselves, but their concern is from the point of view they take towards those things.
“Cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven effective in treating mental health problems, as it has enabled individuals to identify unhealthy thoughts and beliefs underlying negative emotional and behavioral reactions that may result from a number of stressful and anxious situations,” he said.
He added: "Through cognitive behavioral therapy, one learns how to become more aware and receptive, and change his thoughts to something more rational and positive, which in turn leads to emotional and behavioral reactions during difficult situations, be healthier, which improves the mental health of the person, for example For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help a person cure his anger and turn it into relatively healthy discomfort. ”
Al-Mutawa explained that cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of modern treatment that can significantly reduce depression, stress, anxiety, phobias and disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders and eating disorders, noting that anyone can benefit from this treatment to deal effectively With disturbing conditions and tension.