Follow Vogue Arabia

Covid-19 in the UAE: Free Mental Health Support to Be Offered to Frontline Workers

Dr Shamma Al Mazrouei, Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, These Female Doctors Are Leading The Frontline In The UAE, Covid-19, coronavirus

Oncology nurses have continued to keep the UAE safe in light of the pandemic. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramohan

The frontline workers battling Covid-19 in the UAE will now have access to a free mental health support hotline. The initiative has been launched by the Frontline Heroes Office and National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing with the aim to help the tens of thousands of frontline staff across the Emirates deal with mental health issues caused by the pandemic. All frontline workers are encouraged to access the hotline to cope with any emotional or psychological stress and pressure that has resulted from this challenging past year.

This service is not only available for the medical staff but also police, essential service providers, crisis managers, security, and emergency service providers, humanitarian agencies, sanitation personnel, and volunteers, who are all registered under the Frontline Heroes Office.

Dr Shamma Al Mazrouei, Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, These Female Doctors Are Leading The Frontline In The UAE, Covid-19, coronavirus

Dr Shamma Al Mazrouei and Dr Fatima Al Kaabi at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, are among the frontline heroes keeping the UAE safe in light of the pandemic. Photo: Vidhyaa Chandramohan

The hotline services are offered in both Arabic and English, with a group of 55 trained volunteers available daily to support workers with their mental health and wellbeing needs. The support service is accessible daily between 8am and 8pm, and can be accessed by dialling 800HOPE.

“Across the globe, frontline professionals have faced the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite feeling the burden of the pandemic more than most, they have continued to get up every single day and help keep this great nation going,” said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the board of the Frontline Heroes Office. “Their selfless work has meant that the UAE has been one of the leading countries in tackling the pandemic with sincerity and passion, which is why we must take care of them in appreciation of their dedication and generosity,” he added.

The new hotline service follows the existing ‘Mental Health Support Line’ that was launched in May to help many people across the UAE. So far, over 1,200 residents have sought support through the service.

Read Next: Covid: Have We Finally Got A Coronavirus Vaccine?

Suggestions
Articles
View All
Vogue Collection
Topics