Psychologists say decriminalising attempted suicide could encourage more people to seek help without fear, while highlighting the need for mental health services to prepare for increased demand.
Dubai: Mental health professionals across the UAE have welcomed a new legal amendment decriminalising attempted suicide, saying the change could encourage people experiencing psychological distress to seek professional support without fear of legal consequences.
Psychologists believe the amendment could help remove barriers that previously discouraged individuals and families from speaking openly about suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts.
Fatima Simi Anwar, General Manager at Bloom Beyond, said the shift in how attempted suicide is treated represents an important change in the approach to mental healthcare.
Previously, individuals who survived suicide attempts could face police involvement before receiving the medical attention they needed.
“The first questions were about culpability, not safety,” she explained.
According to Anwar, fear of legal consequences sometimes prompted survivors to conceal the circumstances of their injuries, while family members encouraged them to provide alternative explanations. This also contributed to the under-reporting of suicide attempts in hospitals.
“We lost the window of highest risk,” she said.
With criminal penalties removed, psychologists expect greater emphasis to be placed on treatment, prevention and early intervention.
Nailah Mahmood, Clinical Psychologist at the German Neuroscience Centre, said the amendment could strengthen trust between patients and healthcare professionals by making individuals more comfortable discussing their experiences.
“Disclosing such information will not get the client in trouble,” she said.
How could the new law change mental healthcare?
According to Anwar, the amendment could bring four significant improvements in how suicide risk is identified and managed.
1. Greater transparency in hospitals
Previously, some individuals reportedly described suicide attempts as accidental injuries because they feared prosecution.
With the legal implications removed, survivors may feel more comfortable explaining what happened, allowing healthcare professionals to assess their condition accurately and provide appropriate treatment.
2. Earlier conversations about suicidal thoughts
One of the most important potential benefits is encouraging people to seek support before a crisis escalates.
“If saying ‘I have been having thoughts of ending my life’ no longer carries legal exposure, more people will say it while it is still a thought,” Anwar said.
Early disclosure could give mental health professionals more opportunities to intervene and provide timely support.
3. Less pressure on families to conceal incidents
Families previously faced difficult decisions when a loved one experienced a mental health crisis, sometimes fearing that seeking medical assistance could lead to legal complications.
The amendment could reduce those concerns and encourage relatives to prioritise immediate care and professional intervention.
4. More direct conversations with professionals
Doctors, teachers and employers may also become more willing to discuss suicide-related concerns openly.
By reducing fears surrounding the legal implications of disclosure, the change could encourage professionals to identify warning signs and guide vulnerable individuals towards appropriate services.
Fabian Saarloos, Clinical Psychologist at the German Neuroscience Centre, said the country could initially experience an increase in reported suicide-related cases.
However, he explained that higher reporting figures would not necessarily indicate a rise in actual incidents.
“That is because people will feel safer disclosing their experiences,” he said.
“The real measure of success will be whether more people access appropriate care earlier and experience better outcomes.”
Are UAE mental health services prepared for greater demand?
While psychologists have welcomed the legal reform, they emphasised that healthcare providers must be ready to support more people seeking assistance.
Anwar stressed the importance of introducing rapid-access mental health services so that individuals experiencing a crisis can receive timely assessments and treatment.
“A person who finally asks for help and is given an appointment six weeks away has been failed at the exact moment the law was meant to protect,” she said.
She recommended providing frontline healthcare workers with training to identify suicidal thoughts, assess risks and develop collaborative safety plans.
Such training should extend beyond psychiatrists and psychologists to include emergency department personnel, paediatricians, teachers, human resources professionals and welfare officers working in labour accommodations.
Saarloos also highlighted the need to make mental healthcare more affordable and accessible to people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Given the UAE’s diverse population, he said multilingual services and culturally sensitive approaches would be particularly important.
“Continuity of care is equally important, with structured follow-up after emergency presentations and clear pathways back into treatment,” he said.
Different communities require different approaches
Psychologists noted that expatriate workers, teenagers and young adults may experience distinct challenges, making targeted mental health support essential.
Expatriate workers
For some expatriate employees, psychological distress may be linked to isolation from family members, financial difficulties, job uncertainty and demanding working conditions.
Language barriers and limited social networks can further discourage individuals from seeking help.
Anwar also pointed to concerns about whether a police record could affect visa renewals, which may previously have prevented some workers from reporting mental health crises.
Saarloos said this group would benefit from “accessible care and clear explanations of confidentiality.”
Adolescents
Teenagers experiencing suicidal thoughts may not openly communicate their struggles or independently seek professional assistance.
Anwar urged parents, teachers and caregivers to pay attention to behavioural changes, including social withdrawal, declining academic performance, irritability, disrupted sleeping or eating patterns, giving away personal belongings or an unexpected period of calm following significant emotional distress.
Saarloos recommended “age-appropriate, non-judgmental support, with appropriate involvement of parents or trusted adults when safe and clinically indicated.”
Young adults
University students and individuals entering the workforce may face emotional challenges related to academic expectations, financial responsibilities, relationship difficulties and adjusting to independent living.
Being away from family support systems can also increase feelings of isolation.
Anwar observed that young adults frequently turn to online resources when experiencing emotional difficulties.
She described them as “the group most likely to search for help online at 2am rather than call anyone.”
Experts believe accessible digital support, early intervention and clear pathways to professional care could help address these challenges.
Beyond legal reform: Building trust and encouraging recovery
Although the amendment represents a significant policy change, psychologists cautioned that removing legal penalties alone may not immediately eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
Building public confidence will require clear communication, accessible healthcare services and reassurance that people experiencing suicidal thoughts can seek help safely.
“How widely and how plainly this is communicated will matter as much as the amendment itself,” Anwar said.
Saarloos reiterated that the true impact of the reform should be measured by whether individuals receive support sooner and achieve improved mental health outcomes.
Mahmood explained that suicidal thoughts can arise from feelings of “helplessness and hopelessness.”
However, she emphasised that appropriate treatment and emotional support can help people recover and “build a functional and meaningful life.”
For mental health professionals, the broader message is that legal reform must be accompanied by practical improvements in healthcare access, public awareness and ongoing support to ensure that people experiencing distress feel safe asking for help.
