Untreated mental health issues cost the UAE around $3.5 billion in lost productivity each year due to the mental health system being in its infancy. Approximately 15 percent of the Gulf population experiences mental health challenges, yet most of it is untreated.
While this statistic may be underestimated due to the stigma associated with mental illness, UAE residents are experiencing a shift. They are utilizing both inpatient and outpatient mental health services, indicating that counseling services are being formally recognized and embraced.
