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Mental health, dangers of tobacco use in spotlight this May
30 May 2025 00:12
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)In May, global awareness campaigns have spotlighted two major health issues: mental wellbeing and tobacco use. UAE healthcare providers have joined in marking Mental Health Awareness Month and are set to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Doctors in the country told Aletihad that these initiatives are making an impact, with growing public awareness and shifting mindsets proving that consistent global reminders can drive meaningful change in health behaviours.
Mental Health Awareness In the UAE, awareness of mental health issues has significantly improved, said Ahlam Salem, Clinical Psychologist at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC).'In the past few years, there's been a lot of education and campaigns. I now have patients — even from the older generation — who ask to see a psychologist. That shift in public perception is real,' she said. More young people have also been asking for support themselves, Salem added. 'I have had parents tell me, 'My child asked to see a psychologist'. The younger generation is far more aware and open.'In the workplace, there have been efforts to create supportive environments, she said. 'At ICLDC, for example, we hold staff wellbeing sessions, bring in yoga instructors, and block time to talk about stress and mental health strategies. It is about reminding people; especially healthcare workers — that caring for yourself is essential to caring for others.'When it comes to therapies, technology has made a difference in accessibility, the expert pointed out. 'Teletherapy has been fundamental. Patients from can now receive care without needing to travel. It has enhanced access and helped stabilise conditions.'Amid greater awareness and support, Salem reminded those silently struggling with mental health issues to seek professional help. 'You are not not a psychologist, speak to a primary care physician or a trusted loved one. You'd be surprised how many people are also struggling,' she said. To break stigma at the family and community level, she urged more open conversations. 'Just like you would treat diabetes, you should treat mental health. Seeing a psychologist does not always mean medication, and if it does, that is okay, too. We need to normalise that.'
World No Tobacco Day Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Dr. Abdul Razzak Alkaddour stressed the significance of public education in encouraging more smokers to quit."One in four deaths is related to tobacco — and not a single organ in the body is unaffected,' said Dr. Alkaddour, Cardiology and Internal Medicine Consultant at HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology linked tobacco use to serious cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and strokes — even in young people. 'We have statistics from Mayo Clinic showing direct effects on coronary arteries after just weeks of smoking,' Dr. Alkaddour said. The specialist also expressed concern about the youth's exposure to tobacco through vaping and e-cigarettes. 'The brain continues to develop until age 25. Vaping in the teenage years affects impulse control, depression, and anxiety,' he said. He added that nicotine concentrations in vapes lead to early addiction and could be a gateway to cigarettes and other substances. 'This is a nicotine delivery system involving chemicals like formaldehyde, which can cause cancer and lung diseases.'The UAE offers comprehensive support for quitting tobacco, including licensed clinics, medications, and counselling, Dr. Alkaddour said. The first step is simply making the decision to quit, then reaching out for the help that's readily available.
'This is about trust, education, and creating systems that support lasting change,' he said.
