Revised suicide law can 'reduce mental health stigma and improve support'
Access to mental health support will probably continue to improve following legal amendments to decriminalise attempted suicide, experts have said. The UAE announced the removal of criminal liability in an amendment to the country's Crimes and Penalties Law on Thursday. Previous legislation in 2020 gave judges the discretion to offer mental health treatment as an alternative to prison, although…
The UAE has recently amended its Crimes and Penalties Law to decriminalise attempted suicide, with experts believing this will help reduce mental health stigma and improve support. Dr Tina Mistry, a clinical psychologist, noted that fear of criminal charges previously deterred individuals from seeking help for suicidal thoughts.
The amendment is expected to encourage early intervention, allowing for earlier access to mental health care and support. Meanwhile, Saudi German Hospital Dubai is launching an on-site mental health hub to address the fragmented nature of mental health services and combat stigma, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and providing comprehensive care for individuals and their families.
Brief written by urgent.news from The National UAE's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
