A luxury rehab clinic in Switzerland revealed a rising number of patients from the Middle East seeking help for mental health disorders including depression and anxiety with a considerable number of the clinic’s Arab clientele arriving from Saudi Arabia.
“Approximately 22 percent of our patient demographic are of Arabic origin, with nearly half (48 percent) of these individuals arriving from Saudi Arabia specifically. This significant proportion underscores the urgent need for mental health services tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of Arabic-speaking populations,” Brittany Hunt, Head of Quality, Innovation & Research Department at Clinic Les Alpes said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business.
Hunt believes that the cause of this rising influx is due to the “changing dynamics” of a region historically characterised by “cultural taboos” surrounding mental health issues.
The rise in patients from the Middle East highlights an “urgent need for mental health services tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of Arabic-speaking populations,” she said.
According to the latest Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study, stress in the UAE was recorded at a staggering 89 percent with over 99 percent of respondents revealing the symptoms of burnout. The leading cause of stress emerged as the ‘cost of living’ crisis and personal, family financial concerns.
An in-depth examination of the nature of mental health concerns among patients of from Arab countries revealed that approximately 12 percent arrived with anxiety as their primary complaint, while a staggering 47 percent are dealing with depression.
“These figures are significant, as they not only reveal the predominant mental health challenges faced by this demographic but also the potential impact of cultural, social, and economic factors unique to the expatriate and Arabic-speaking communities,” Hunt said.
Challenging stereotypes: Majority of clinic help-seekers are male
Among these patients, contradictory to pre-conceived notions, “The gender distribution within this group further illuminates interesting aspects of help-seeking behaviour,” she revealed. A whopping 65 percent are male, accounting for the majority of help-seekers at the clinic.
“This distribution challenges preconceived notions, and many research statistics, about who is most likely to seek help for mental health issues and suggests that men in the Arabic community are increasingly reaching out for support,” Hunt said.
The data revealed by Clinic Les Alpes hints towards a “gradual dismantling of the cultural barriers that have historically hindered individuals from seeking mental health support.”
Although a majority of the clinic’s clientele emerged as residents of their countries of origin, the shift was notable among expats and those living away from “home.”
“These expats find themselves navigating the complexities of life after immigration, including loneliness, burnout, and the struggle to maintain a work-life balance. For many, the decision to seek help is driven by the challenges of adapting to a new environment while grappling with the stigmas associated with mental health in their home countries,” she said.
The clinic concluded that the rising demand from Arab countries suggests the “overcoming of cultural taboos of mental health that might have previously prevented them from seeking treatment.”
“The increasing demand for mental health services among this demographic underscores the importance of culturally sensitive care and the need for continued dialogue and outreach within these communities,” Hunt concluded.
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