Dubai launches new hotline to offer free mental wellbeing support for all
Dedicated service connects callers with specialised mental health counsellors
DUBAI – Dubai has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening community wellbeing and expanding access to mental health support across the emirate.
The ‘Itma’en’ service, whose name means ‘rest assured’, has been introduced by Dubai Health in collaboration with the Community Development Authority and the Dubai Health Authority.
The service provides free mental wellbeing guidance through a confidential hotline, offering residents, citizens and visitors direct access to professional support. Officials say the initiative reflects Dubai’s broader efforts to place health and wellbeing at the centre of public policy while building an integrated and accessible mental health system.
The programme forms part of ongoing initiatives designed to improve quality of life and ensure mental wellbeing services are readily available to people across the community.
New service
The Itma’en service operates through a dedicated hotline at 800506, where callers can seek guidance from trained specialists in a safe and confidential environment. The service is designed to provide reassurance, professional advice and early mental health support for individuals experiencing emotional stress or personal challenges.
A team of counsellors and specialists is available to listen to callers and provide guidance while also promoting awareness of mental wellbeing across the community. The hotline aims to create a supportive space where individuals can openly discuss their concerns and receive professional assistance.
The service also plays a preventive role by helping individuals access advice early and encouraging greater understanding of mental health issues. By making support easily accessible through a single hotline, authorities aim to remove barriers that may prevent people from seeking help.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s wider vision of building integrated human-centred services that prioritise wellbeing as a foundation for a thriving society.
Social agenda
Officials say the service supports the objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33, which focuses on strengthening a comprehensive social framework that provides protection, care and empowerment for all members of society.
The agenda also seeks to advance a healthcare system that reflects global best practices while improving overall quality of life. By expanding access to mental wellbeing services, the Itma’en initiative contributes to these goals and reinforces Dubai’s commitment to social stability and community support.
Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said the launch of the hotline reflects the authority’s commitment, together with its partners, to strengthening Dubai’s social care system.
She noted that the initiative aims to provide specialised channels that support families and individuals facing emotional challenges. By offering accessible counselling and professional guidance, the service contributes to community stability and helps improve quality of life across the emirate.
According to Buhumaid, promoting the mental wellbeing of individuals and families remains a central priority within Dubai’s social development framework due to its direct impact on community cohesion and overall wellbeing.
Through the hotline, she said, members of society will have a safe space to express their feelings and receive the support they require, helping encourage a culture in which seeking professional help is normalised.
Healthcare vision
Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, said the initiative reflects Dubai’s continued commitment to advancing community health and wellbeing.
He noted that the service forms part of a broader effort to develop a proactive healthcare system that places people at its centre. Ensuring access to mental health guidance and counselling, he said, is an essential component of public health and quality of life.
Dr Alsheikh-Ali also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government entities in strengthening mental health services. Integrating efforts across institutions helps ensure that residents can access timely guidance and appropriate care when required.
Dr Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said the initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to supporting mental wellbeing with the same level of attention as physical health.
He said collaboration between government organisations is helping create accessible channels through which individuals can seek guidance with confidence and privacy.
Access support
The Itma’en service is available to all age groups and is offered free of charge in both Arabic and English. The hotline operates daily from 9am until midnight, ensuring support is accessible during most hours of the day.
Callers can speak directly with specialised counsellors who provide advice and reassurance tailored to individual circumstances. If further medical attention is required, cases can be referred to specialised teams for evaluation and follow-up care.