UAE expats encouraged to look after their mental health

The modern-day fast-paced, competitive environment experienced by expats on overseas assignments often results in mental health problems.

The initial challenges of relocation to an unfamiliar country with a totally different culture all raise the risk of mental health problems, especially when compounded by an unfamiliar workplace and stress caused by finding accommodation, sorting children’s schooling and developing a personal network of friends as well as colleagues. If there’s a lack of social support and environmental changes as well as loneliness and isolation and even new weather patterns, anxiety and depression can result.

The high-pressure environment of the UAE is in itself a challenge to new expat arrivals, making developing a satisfactory work/life balance essential to settling down and enjoying new experiences. Many foreign professionals totally focus on work, rejecting pleasurable activities such as spending quality time with their families, cultivating friendships and finding new hobbies. Others turn to alcohol, smoke more or get into substance abuse, with unmanageable stress and burnout the consequences. Failed assignments can be disastrous for those involved, including the company itself.

As with many other world countries, mental ill health in the UAE is still stigmatised, making those affected reluctant to even talk about their feelings and problems. Issues usually present along with a fear of losing a job, a fear of weakness and concern over being seen as unfit to cope with the workload. Recently, the issue has been taken more seriously both by the authorities and firms themselves, with government-led awareness programmes opening up a willingness to discuss the creation of a support system centred on professional employees’ mental health.