Mental Health and Dubai Health Insurance
Even though mental health has historically been stigmatized in Dubai, the awareness for the issue has now taken a leap forward as Dubai’s basic health insurance requirements now offer mental health coverage.
Now that a global trend has shifted toward a more understanding attitude, things are looking up. In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we’ll discuss the topic of mental health in Dubai, as well as how Dubai health insurance interacts with it today.
Dubai Mental Health Trends in 2025
How Dubai and the UAE are becoming more accepting towards mental health illnesses, therapies, and mental health treatment corresponds with a notable change in the global attitude towards mental health in post-covid years.
Despite the lack of comprehensive information on mental health in Dubai specifically, it is estimated that mental disorders are highly prevalent among the population of the UAE. Data shows that 15% of the population in the seven Arab countries, including the UAE, experience mental issues every year.
Luckily, over the past decade, the Dubai government has been taking steps to acknowledge and raise awareness of the very real public health risk that mental health disorders pose.
In the 2016-2021 Dubai Health Strategy, mental health is set as a priority, with the aim to destigmatize it while providing high-quality care for mental health conditions. This strategy jump-started the mental health trend in Dubai towards a positive trajectory.
UAE’s New Mental Health Law
The UAE’s new federal law on mental health that repealed the old one in use since 1981 has taken effect since the end of May 2024. The new law now covers diverse issues related to mental health with a more updated and inclusive outlook on them.
The new Mental Health Law includes several crucial changes to mental health policy, including
- ‘Psychiatric patients’ are protected from the termination of employment based solely on mental disorder.
- Workplaces must provide preventive measures, support programs, and the right to confidentiality about mental health issues to all employees.
- The relationships between psychiatric patients and other parties dealing with them are regulated.
- Negative impacts of mental disorders on individuals, their families, and society are to be reduced.
- Psychiatric patients must be integrated into the society with care.
Essentially, the law reflects a progressive attitude and a leaping attempt to reshape legal and ethical standards of mental health care in the UAE.
Dubai Mental Health and Individual Medical Insurance
Individuals can obtain coverage for their mental health treatment, as most insurance companies in Dubai are now weighing mental illnesses as important as physical sickness.
Generally, the Essential Benefits Plan (EBP), which is the minimum level of health insurance mandated for all residents of Dubai, offers partial mental health coverage in their benefits.
The EBP is the policy of the Dubai Health Authority to make healthcare accessible and affordable to workers, domestic staff, and their dependents across the Emirates. It mandates extensive healthcare services, with both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
These comprehensive benefits extend to mental health care, where the minimum plan will provide outpatient coverage up to the annual limit of AED 800 with 30% coinsurance per visit.
Depending on the type of insurance, other enhanced insurance plans may also cover treatments like
- Hospitalizations
- Diagnostic tests
- Radiology tests
- Prescribed medications
- Ambulance services
- Rehabilitation services
Cost of Mental Health Care in Dubai
Subject to the different types of therapy, the therapist’s experience, and the reputation of the clinic, the cost of a therapy session in Dubai can vary between each clinic and hospital, with the typical range for a session being from AED 300 to AED 1,200.
Aside from consultation costs, other mental treatments may be required, resulting in unexpected expenses. Given the possibility, it’s crucial for individuals to select insurance plans that likely align with their mental health needs to prevent incurring excessive out-of-pocket expenses.
Further reading: 2025 Guide to Mandatory Health Insurance in Dubai
Businesses Getting On Board With Mental Health Insurance
Employee benefits in Dubai have significantly improved, as the law mandated basic health insurance coverage for all employees and workers in the private sector across the UAE at the beginning of 2025.
As a result, employers are responsible for purchasing group health insurance plans that follow the EBP requirements. More importantly, insurance plans offered to large organizations are favorable to employees as they may offer better benefits and inclusions.
This change further improves access to healthcare across the Emirates while reducing the financial burden for employees and their families.
Need Help With Mental Health Insurance?
Following the EBP policy, Dubai’s health insurance plan significantly improved to provide partial coverage for mental health treatment, allowing every resident living in Dubai much easier access to mental health care.
However, continuous therapy and long-term care may result in overly expensive out-of-pocket fees. The best choice may be to work with an insurance broker like Pacific Prime Dubai to find the best insurance plan that will suit your mental health needs.
As for group health insurance, Pacific Prime Dubai can help businesses customize their employees’ benefits solutions based on their companies’ specific demands.
Contact us today for a free plan comparison and price quotation.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
- Mental Health and Dubai Health Insurance - 14th May 2025
- 5 Ways Businesses in the UAE Can Support Employees’ Mental Health - 14th May 2025
- Guide To UAE Citizenship For Expats: What You Need To Know - 11th April 2025
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