Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have associated to conduct a comprehensive, accredited mental health skills course in the primary care setting. A large number of experts and medical professionals took part in the program.
Five interactive in-person seminars were included in the Mental Health Upskilling Program 2022 to help equip primary care physicians, nurses, and care coordinators with useful behavioural medicine therapy tools and practices. Participants received a certificate and the appropriate CME credits after successfully completing the course and the final evaluation.
“In line with the department’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the mental and physical well-being of Abu Dhabi’s population, we are pleased to endorse and facilitate similar initiatives that upskill the healthcare workforce in the emirate. More than ever before, we realise the importance of mental well-being and its long-term impact on the community,” Ms. Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Facilities Sector from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, remarked.
“As the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, we are committed to improving the quality of life of our population and empowering healthcare providers to ensure the availability of an integrated healthcare system that offers world-class healthcare services,” Ms. Al Zaabi further added.
The course structure includes in-person sessions, required readings, participation in real case discussions, and a final written evaluation. Some of the course topics include:
- The pandemic of mental illness and need for an integrated model of care
- Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression
- Suicide and self-harm risk assessment and safety planning
- Self-care and burnout prevention for primary care practitioner, among others. The course includes post-course follow-up and supervision
Experts in the field including Mr. Taregh Shaban, Lecturer in Psychology at the Department of Cognitive Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Vedrana Mladina, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Director of Counseling at NYUAD Health Center, Dr. Tai R. Broach, Associate Professor of Practice in Psychology at Zayed University, and Dr. Ayaz Virji, Executive Medical Director of the Health Center at NYUAD, conducted the Mental Health Upskill.