Dubai’s call to action to employers over wellbeing
Mental health in the workplace is no longer an abstract issue—it is an urgent call to action for businesses worldwide and here in the UAE.
The recently released “Future of Workplace Wellbeing” report, developed in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), and research partner Chnnl, unveils the stark realities and rising demands for psychological safety to drive employee wellbeing, productivity, and retention.
The key focus is clear: businesses must take the lead in supporting mental health to ensure both employee and organisational success.
As Dr. Khulood Alsayegh, Head of Clinical Standards and Guidelines at the DHA, wrote in the report, “In the UAE, mental disorders affect an estimated 14% of the population.Yet, despite the prevalence of these conditions, a staggering 75% of individuals in the Middle East Region who need help do not seek it.”
With a firm grasp of the socioeconomic implications of mental illnesses, Dr. Alsayegh highlighted the substantial burden they impose. “Mental disorders account for 5% of disability-adjusted life years lost globally,” she stated, her expression grave. “In the UAE alone, we lose AED 3.9 billion per year in productivity due to mental health issues, with 9% of disability-adjusted life years lost as a result.”
The publication of the report follows the announcement that Dubai is investing in ‘mental wealth’ with a new, comprehensive framework launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and backed by a budget of AED105 million.
This initiative is part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to make the Emirate the top destination for living, working, and visiting.
Guided by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Mental Wealth Framework is designed to support the mental well-being of everyone in Dubai.
Implications for Businesses
The financial cost underscored in the report highlights the need for businesses to act proactively in supporting their employees’ mental health.
For businesses, the implications of poor mental health in the workplace extend beyond individual wellbeing—it affects organisational outcomes. The report stresses that mental health must become a top priority, not just for ethical reasons but also to ensure business continuity and growth. Globally, burnout, absenteeism, and turnover are direct results of mental health struggles, and organisations that fail to address these issues will likely face declining performance.
One of the most significant findings in the report is the connection between psychological safety and improved business outcomes. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, where employees feel safe discussing mental health issues and seeking help, organisations can enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
Dr. Alsayegh explained that businesses need to implement comprehensive wellness programs that cater to the diverse needs of their workforce, offering emotional, social, and psychological support in addition to physical health initiatives.
The Role Businesses Must Play
Businesses need to adopt a proactive approach to addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. This includes several key actions:
Comprehensive Wellbeing Programs: Mental health programs should be comprehensive, going beyond physical health to address emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. The report stresses that businesses need to shift towards holistic wellness strategies that support employees at every level.
“We must prioritise the mental wellbeing of vulnerable groups,” Dr. Alsayegh emphasised during the panel discussion, highlighting the importance of tailored support for different demographics within the workforce.
Person-Centered Care: One of the report’s key recommendations is to adopt person-centered care. This approach focuses on tailoring mental health support to the unique needs of each employee. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, businesses need to offer personalised care that respects the individual’s circumstances, preferences, and challenges.
“Our approach is centered on person-centered care,” Dr. Alsayegh remarked, emphasising the importance of inclusiveness and empowerment in the workplace.
Leadership and Culture: Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping workplace culture and ensuring that mental health is prioritised. Leaders need to champion wellbeing initiatives, reduce stigma, and create an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking support. This cultural shift requires active leadership involvement in promoting mental health awareness and embedding wellbeing into the organisation’s core values.
Addressing Burnout: Burnout is a significant challenge in today’s workplace across the world, particularly for healthcare professionals and other high-stress occupations. The report highlights that “the UAE has seen a 14% increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders in healthcare professionals since the pandemic,” while in New Zealand, the burnout rate among medical doctors stands at 21%.
Burnout not only affects individual health but also leads to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates. Businesses must focus on preventing burnout by implementing policies that promote psychological safety, offering regular mental health check-ins, and creating support systems that help employees manage stress effectively.
Measuring Impact and ROI: The report emphasises the importance of measuring the success of wellbeing programs. By tracking key metrics—such as employee engagement, absenteeism, turnover, and performance—businesses can gauge the effectiveness of their interventions.
This data-driven approach ensures continuous improvement and demonstrates the return on investment (ROI) of wellbeing initiatives.
“Measuring wellbeing enables businesses to demonstrate ROI for their wellness initiatives,” Dr. Alsayegh added, reinforcing the need for accountability in mental health programs.
