UAE's over 60s to benefit from free parking for a year

Senior citizens will benefit from a one-year free parking in Ajman on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.

Ajman Municipality has announced that under the directions of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department, that Emirati senior citizens above the age of 60 will be granted free parking permits across the emirate.

Cards granting free parking can be collected when they produce their Emirates identity card, car registration card, and driving licence. The permits are valid from October 1 to September 30, 2018.

The municipality said that the initiative comes inline with the United Nation's designated day for older persons and in appreciation for their contribution to the UAE's early nation building years.

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Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley