A wide-ranging study of the psychological impact of Covid-19 in the UAE found more than a third of people felt their mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic.
Of the 4,426 people who responded to a survey by academics from the University of Sharjah, Zayed University and the United Arab Emirates University, 36 per cent reported increased stress due to work, home or financial matters.
Psychological evaluation was completed via a series of questions to assess the impact of the pandemic and the perceived support available.
The very fact this study has taken place reflects the increasing maturity in attitudes towards mental health in the UAE
It revealed 27 per cent felt severe psychological stress, while up to 63 per cent said they felt horrified, helpless or apprehensive.
Women, younger people, part-time workers and university graduates were more likely to report mental health damage during May and June when the survey was completed, two months after the UAE reported its first death.
“The study reflects the increase of patients we are seeing at our centre with issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder all common,” said Tanya Dharamshi, clinical director and counselling psychologist at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Dubai.
“We know first-hand from our patients how factors such as financial insecurity, home-schooling, working from home, health concerns and saturation of news coverage – particularly via social media – have had severe repercussions for many.
“Feelings of isolation, loneliness, panic, fear, hopelessness and grief have for many been overwhelming, impacting their sense of purpose and identity.”
Survey questionnaires were distributed via LinkedIn, Facebook and WhatsApp.
Those contributing lived across the seven emirates, with 85 per cent completing the survey in Arabic, providing a cross-section of society and how it had been impacted by the coronavirus.
Many said they considered the pandemic an opportunity to establish better support and bonds between family members.
The findings have been reflected in similar research conducted across the Gulf.
An online survey conducted among Saudi adults during the pandemic reported mild to moderate rates of anxiety among the general population, while a significantly higher level of anxiety was observed among married respondents.
In Bahrain, an online depression anxiety and stress index showed a third of participants had suffered psychological ill-health.
Lebanese citizens, meanwhile, reported an increase in PTSD symptoms during the fourth week of the nation's Covid-19 quarantine period.
By comparison, 54 per cent of those completing a similar study in China said they felt a similar negative impact on their mental well-being.
“It’s also worth pointing out that the very fact this study has taken place reflects the increasing maturity in attitudes towards mental health in the UAE and across the region,” said Ms Dharamshi.
“It is increasingly being recognised as a vital part of community health and wellness, and research such as this helps to bring it into the mainstream conversation and encourage people to tackle issues head-on, instead of feeling stigmatised.
“We welcome more studies of this kind to help better understand and support positive mental health and wellbeing among the UAE’s population.”
In a recent address during the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed encouraged more openness in mental health discussions to rid the associated stigma from society.
Sheikh Abdullah said the only shame connected to mental health was in avoiding its discussion.
“This last year, many people experienced challenges that created a perfect recipe for anxiety and stress,” said Dani Hakim, co-founder of Safe Space, a corporate mental health service that offers professional anonymous online counselling sessions to employees of businesses who pay a subscription fee.
“At Safe Space, we have noticed a considerable uplift in our corporate clients’ interest in more proactive solutions.
“We've seen a rise in demand for wellness strategies and employers looking for digital or technical solutions outside of the usual company network.
“Not everyone feels comfortable talking about personal issues with their managers or peers.”
Government mental health support phone lines and web chats offered support for those in crisis from trained volunteers.
Online workshops established by providers like Safe Space offer anonymous support and encourage more people to seek help.
“We often hear from clients that their employee assistance programmes or crisis hotlines are underused,” said Ms Hakim.
“We wanted to create a daily drop-in service to address anonymity issues.
“It helps employees keep an open dialogue about their mental health while providing context to their questions.”
Saudi Arabia's vaccine drive in pictures
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Company%20profile
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Royal Birkdale Golf Course
Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
Established: 1889
Type: Private
Total holes: 18
More coverage from the Future Forum
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
3%20Body%20Problem
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Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
Results:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
