As reports of regional conflicts and global tensions flood our news feeds, many residents in the UAE are grappling with a sense of 'silent heaviness'. This weight lingers in the throat, accompanies them into meetings, and transforms even ordinary days into challenges that must be overcome.

If you discover yourself constantly checking news updates every 10 minutes or feeling a tightening in your chest with each notification, know that you are not alone.

Clinics and health authorities throughout the UAE have initiated various dedicated, free, and confidential services to assist residents in navigating such moments. Here are some avenues where you can seek support:

1. 800-SAKINA

Operated by the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DoH), SAKINA (meaning ‘tranquility’ in Arabic) is a primary resource providing immediate psychological first aid.

While based in Abu Dhabi, it serves as a crucial pillar of mental health support across the Emirates.

• Phone: 800-725462 (800-SAKINA)*

• Availability: 24/7

• Languages: Arabic and English

• Best for: Immediate panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, acute stress, or when the news simply feels "too much".

You’ll converse with trained professionals who provide a confidential, non-judgmental space. They are equipped to help stabilize acute emotional distress and can direct you towards longer-term care if necessary.

2. Medico Arabia

If what you’re experiencing goes beyond worry to feelings of shock, persistent grief, or sudden panic, Medico Arabia offers free 24/7 trauma-informed mental health support in Dubai.

This can be a particularly beneficial option if expressing your feelings through writing is easier than speaking out loud.

• Phone: +971 56 900 5443 or +971 50 159 0070

• Availability: 24/7

• Languages: Multilingual support, including for Arab and expat communities

• Best for: Trauma, grief, shock, survivor’s guilt, conflict-related anxiety, and panic attacks.

If images, videos, or headlines trigger intense emotional responses, Medico’s team can assist you in understanding those reactions and provide real-time coping strategies.

3. Sage Clinics

For those not in need of an emergency helpline but seeking a guided space to process current events, Sage Clinics has introduced a series of free psychological support groups conducted online across the UAE.

Their upcoming session is tailored specifically for high school students.

• When: 2pm, March 4

• Format: Online sessions for accessibility across the UAE

• Best for: Managing anxiety, emotional regulation, and coping tools.

“These dedicated groups focus on managing anxiety, supporting children through uncertainty, maintaining emotional regulation, and strengthening practical coping strategies during periods of heightened stress,” stated Dr. Gurveen Ranger, clinical psychologist and director of operations at Sage Clinics.

She emphasized that the initiative aims to provide “timely, preventative psychological support at a population level”, offering structured spaces to address concerns and learn regulation skills “during a period when routines and predictability may feel disrupted.”

4) Human Relations Institute & Clinics (HRIC)

If you're in search of a calming space to breathe, regulate, and collect your thoughts, HRIC Dubai offers free 30-minute regulation sessions to help individuals calm their nervous system, manage acute stress, and feel more centered.

• Phone: +971 04 365 8498

• WhatsApp: +971 50 778 2785

• Format: Free 30-minute regulation sessions

• Best for: Acute stress, nervous system regulation, feeling overwhelmed, needing a quiet space to process emotions.

Please note: This service is not a helpline.

Alternative healing options

Some individuals may find solace in alternative forms of support, such as breathwork, grounding practices, guided meditation, or mindfulness techniques that promote a sense of calmness when the mind is restless.

While these sessions do not replace clinical care or therapy, they can serve as a helpful starting point if you feel overwhelmed and seek a gentle space for regulation.

Keyani Wellness, a Dubai-based holistic wellness platform, is organizing a series of free online support sessions in response to recent events, in collaboration with its practitioners.

The schedule includes calming options like community meditation, grounding practices, and creative sessions such as art therapy, all aimed at helping participants reestablish a sense of safety. Contact +971 58 5870799 to receive your free link.

So, when should you reach out?

If you find yourself constantly seeking updates and unable to disconnect, struggling with simple tasks, experiencing physical symptoms like chest tightness, insomnia, headaches, or feeling disconnected from your surroundings, consider reaching out for support.

Seeking support during challenging times does not imply that you are incapable of coping. It signifies that you are human and your nervous system is reacting to uncertainty as it naturally would. Therefore, please seek the assistance you require in a manner that feels safe and manageable for you.

*Please note: If you or someone you know is in immediate physical danger, please call 999 (Police Emergency)/998 (Medical Emergency) for urgent assistance, including suicide-related crises.

ALSO READ

• UAE doctors offer useful tips on coping with stress and anxiety

• Do you have nomophobia? UAE doctors warn against excessive use of mobile phones