Mental health support for British nationals in United Arab Emirates
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in United Arab Emirates.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 998 and ask for an ambulance. Go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department if urgent medical assessment or treatment is needed. Private hospital charges will vary.
Call 999 for police.
See our list of medical facilities in United Arab Emirates.
Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital has an emergency department. If someone has not previously been an inpatient there, they will need to attend another government hospital first for assessment or referral.
For less urgent medical attention, book an appointment with a doctor for an initial assessment. Doctors can offer basic support and refer you to specialists if needed.
The Itma’en Mental Wellbeing Hotline can be contacted on 800506. It provides free and confidential mental wellbeing guidance in Arabic and English, daily from 9am to midnight. Callers can speak with a specialised counsellor and may be referred for medical follow-up where needed.
Suicide and serious self-harm incidents may have legal consequences in the UAE. Individuals involved may be reported to police and could face prosecution, fines, travel restrictions, or court-directed treatment. If you or someone else is at immediate risk, call 999, request an ambulance on 998, or go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines to United Arab Emirates
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and United Arab Emirates travel advice.
Some UK-prescribed and over-the-counter medicines are classed as controlled or restricted substances in the UAE. Check requirements before travelling or arranging repeat medication. Carry supporting medical documents where required.
Accessing medicines in United Arab Emirates
Some medicines may be difficult to obtain in the United Arab Emirates. If you take regular medication, bring enough for your stay and consider bringing extra in case your return is delayed or your stay is extended.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in United Arab Emirates, visit a local pharmacy for advice. Bring a copy of your prescription. This can help pharmacists match your medication or identify an exact or similar medicine.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health services are widely available in the United Arab Emirates, as are private mental health clinics.
To access inpatient care voluntarily, contact a hospital or mental health provider for assessment. In urgent situations, attend the nearest hospital emergency department.
Admission may be voluntary, involuntary or emergency. People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated without their consent if they are considered a risk to themselves or others. In the United Arab Emirates, this is known as compulsory admission and requires approval from the Public Prosecution or a competent court.
This is comparable to ’sectioning’ in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to a hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Outpatient treatment
You may also be able to access outpatient care in United Arab Emirates through government hospitals, government clinics and private mental health clinics.
You can find a list of hospitals that offer outpatient mental health care in our list of doctors and medical facilities for United Arab Emirates.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is also available in United Arab Emirates outside of hospital through government clinics and private mental health clinics.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in United Arab Emirates without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance. You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care and enquire, where possible, about likely costs and whether treatment will be covered.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
If you are a UAE citizen, GCC citizen, or UAE resident, you can apply for an Emirates Health Card, which can lower the amount you pay for treatment at government hospitals. Apply through the Emirates Health Services app or website.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone who lacks mental capacity, speak to a lawyer in United Arab Emirates for advice. See our list of lawyers in UAE. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’, but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in United Arab Emirates.
Support from agencies and organisations in United Arab Emirates
Contact these organisations in United Arab Emirates for mental health support and advice:
Government facilities
| Medical facility | Contact |
|---|---|
| Itma’en Mental Wellbeing | Hotline - 800506. Free and confidential guidance; Arabic and English; daily 9am to midnight |
| Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital | +971 4 519 2500 |
| Rashid Hospital | +971 4 800 60 |
| RAK Hospital (Counselling & Psychology – Appointments | +971 7 207 4444 |
| Saudi German Hospital | +971 56 281 3820 |
| Emirates Health Services Clinics | +971 4 777 1777 |
Private clinics and providers
| Clinic | Contact |
|---|---|
| The Free Spirit Collective | +971 4 285 2292 |
| Sage Clinics | +971 4 575 5684 |
| Vivamus | +971 4 440 3844 |
| Maudsley Health | +971 2 610 7777 |
| Sakina Rehab | +971 56 174 2644 |
| Aspiris (Priory) | Dubai: +971 4 385 4493; Abu Dhabi: + 971 2 651 8111 |
| Camali Clinic | + 971 4 276 6064 |
| Lighthouse Arabia | +971 4 380 2088 |
| Dubai Community Health Center | +971 4 507 8000 |
| Thrive Wellbeing | +971 4 514 7386 |
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
Befrienders Worldwide with the Samaritans
World Federation for Mental Health
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
Hospitals issue a fit-to-fly letter and medical report when you are cleared for travel. Repatriation is arranged through medical repatriation companies and may require a medical escort or full transfer. Costs are covered by insurance or personal funds.
See list of UK-based medical repatriation companies.
Upon your return, you may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
UK-based organisations
For support before travel or for family members in the UK, you may contact:
- Age UK
- Bipolar UK
- Mental Health Foundation
- Mind
- Office of the Public Guardian
- Rethink
- Royal British Legion
- SANE
- Scottish Association for Mental Health
- Shout: for support in a crisis
- The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)
- Inspire Wellbeing
- Time to Change Campaign
Disclaimer
The information is intended for your general guidance only. It is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.