Mental Health and Clinical Psychology in UAE
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Transcript of Mental Health and Clinical Psychology in UAE
Mental Health and Clinical Psychology in UAE
Amber Haque Department of Psychology UAE University Webpage:
uaeu.Academia.Edu/amberhaque What I want to talk about
Indigenous beliefs and practices Dualistic nature, the Fitrah,
mental illness as spiritual disease, implications for clinical
psych Influence of Arab ancestors Psychological services, programs
and mental health laws Challenges and opportunities Possible
solutions Regional and Country Maps The UAE A small (oil rich)
country in SE Arab Peninsula; per capita income $48,500 (2011),
unemployment 2.3%. Demographics: 5.5 million, 12% local (Arabs),
23% other Arabs/Iranians, 55% Indo-Pak, 10% Westerners/East Asians.
70% males. Dubai popular for its real estate, financial
investments, shipping and tourism industries. Modern country, high
standard of living, highly tolerant, great emphasis on education
and entrepreneurialism Concepts of Human Nature
Dualistic nature (body, perishable) and (soul, permanent). Their
ongoing interactions reflect in the form of behaviors. Behaviors
are a result of material and non-material forces that are in
control of human consciousness. The body craves for physical
pleasure but the soul invites man to strike a balance in his/her
personality. Observable? Certainly not! A lot is based on
metaphysics and morality contd It is the knowledge and qualities of
soul combined with good moral character that determine the quality
of mental health. Human soul is divided into three parts: Ruh
(spirit): God-like qualities breathed into man by God Himself Qalb
(heart): Cognitive faculties and seat of volition, intention and
wisdomthe healthy (awareness), dead (denial) and sick heart! Aql
(reasoning): the ability of using and exercising free will Soul is
king of the body and organs its servants! Soul functions at three
levels: Nafs Ammarah (animal soul) Nafs Lawwamah (rational soul)
Nafs Mutmainnah (peaceful soul) A constant struggle and interplay
eventually determine the psychological and spiritual condition of
the person. The Concept of Fitrah Disposition, nature, or instinct,
also refers to intuition or insight. All humans are born with
inclination to acknowledge the Creator and follow His commandments.
This disposition is centered in the soul and is the source of right
and wrong. The concept is theological and one cannot separate
religion from everyday life including mental health. Everything
boils down to S-R (spirituality and religion)! Skinner would be
turning in his grave!! If one follows fitrah, there are none or
minimal conflicts in life and one is capable of facing the
challenges; deviation from original positive nature creates
illnesses. Following fitrah is to know ones primordial nature and
follow divine laws as other creations follow. Humans are given
intelligence and freewill and it is up to them how they use it.
Mental Illness as Spiritual Disease
Detachment from God increases the likelihood of difficulties Person
of weak faith may not appreciate the stressors in life and/or is
affected by the various challenges The role of whisperings of the
soul (Satan), effects of magic, evil eye, possession by the Jinn.
Also tests and trials, expiation for ones sins, increase in rewards
(hereafter), etc. contd Approaches to Mental Health
Two Pronged Preventive Approach Developing Positive Qualities
Faith, repentance, patience, gratitude and contentment Avoiding
Negative Qualities Extravagance, envy or jealousy, passionate
bodily desires, pride, temptation, corruption, anger, etc. External
(doing good) and Internal (sound beliefs) virtues are necessary for
attaining happiness and well-being Biological bases: One can see a
doctor for treatment but it will not cure the problem if it is
spiritual-based Scientific development is successive and cumulative
effort leading towards discovering the Laws of God and science can
be flawed if not based on faith. Experimental studies prove these
approaches work for Arab clients Influence of Arab Scholars
Source: Haque, A. (2004): see reference Influence of Arab Scholars
Psychology in the UAE Established at UAE University in 1973 (FOE,
FHSS), MSc in Clinical Psych 2011. EPA established in 2003 by
Ministry of Social Affairs Membership, philosophical statements,
bylaws, restricted to locals Developing Interest: Until 2007, 78
articles from UAE were published (Psych INFO) 11 major psychology
conferences since 2003 (University or association based) UAE
Psychologist (2011) highlights what psychologists do 1st Issue 15
pages, 2nd 44 pages. Psychological Services & Programs
Government hospitals hire PhDs, masters and bachelors level
psychologists trained in mainstream psychology Many private
hospitals, NGOs and clinics hire psychologistsbased mostly in Dubai
Involvement of WHO and the WFMH New degree programs in Universities
UAEU, British, American (NYU), and Australian Universities. Close
to 100 universities in UAE! Mental Health Laws United law No. 28
(1972) covered aspects of mental illness and ways to treat without
reference to local beliefs: emphasis was on patients rights on
voluntary and involuntary admissions 2011: Set of mental health
laws based on both Secular and Shariah laws was submitted to the
Federal Government. In Shariah law there is no formal distinction
between legal and moral duties Shariah law on patient privileges,
confidentiality, doctor-patient relationships, insanity defense,
involuntary hospitalization and treatment, mental competencies,
family laws, child abuse and witness, malpractice, etc. Ministry of
Health created special divisions for licensing laws (HAAD, DHA).
Senior Clinical Psychologist must have PhD/PsyD and current license
in original country Experience required is 4 years for expats and 2
years for nationals HAAD and DHA have slightly different
regulations for the practice of psychology Current challenges
Resistance to change and bureaucracy
Bilingual issue (First language is Arabic) Image of the discipline
and competence of psychologists (those with minimal training or no
license) Lack of standardized tests, the use of DSM (IV-TR), lack
of published research Lack of knowledge of indigenous beliefs and
practices (affects psych assessment and therapeutic outcome)
Recommendations/Possible Solutions
Integrating indigenous psychology in the curriculum Enhancing the
current image of psychology Training and skills development in
existing psychologists (ongoing workshops, diplomas, CE credits,
postgraduate programs, professional regulation and licensing)
International cooperation in program development (University
collaboration, WFMH, other professional org.) Use of bilingual
programs and standardization of tests Openness to research and
publication Promoting Psychology in the UAE References Ahmed, S and
Amer, M (Eds.) (2012). Counseling Muslims. Handbook of mental
health issues and interventions. Pp Routledge Publishers. Attas,
S.N. (1990). The nature of man and psychology of the human soul.
Kuala Lumpur: International Institute of Islamic Thought. Chlaeby,
K. (2001). Forensic Psychiatry in Islamic Jurisprudence. VA:
International Institute of Islamic Thought. Dwairy, M (2006).
Counseling and psychotherapy with Arabs. Teachers College: Columbia
University Press. Haque, A. (2010). Mental health concepts in
Southeast Asia: Diagnostic considerations and treatment
implications. Psychology, Health, and Medicine. 15,2, Haque, A. and
Mohammad, Y. (Eds.) (2009). Psychology of Personality: Islamic
Perspectives. Cengage Learning. Thank You!