Abu Dhabi's SAKINA for Children launches groundbreaking youth mental health network

PureHealth has launched SAKINA for Children, a new mental health service for young people in Abu Dhabi. The network will support children and teenagers up to the age of 18. It forms part of the wider SAKINA mental health system in the emirate. SAKINA for Children will offer a range of services under one coordinated care model. These include outpatient consultations, early intervention programmes, and inpatient mental health treatment. Specialised care will cover child and adolescent psychiatry, developmental paediatrics, and therapies such as occupational, speech, and language support. Behavioural interventions and psychological support for families will also be available.

The service aims to help nearly 500 children each month through tailored treatment programmes. It will use internationally recognised assessment tools like ADOS, WISC, and Conners Rating Scales. Inpatient care will focus on acute psychiatric stabilisation and intensive therapeutic support for neurodevelopmental conditions.

To improve accessibility, services will be provided in Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam. Dr Zain Ali Al Yafai leads the network as its Chief Executive Officer. SAKINA for Children operates within the broader SAKINA mental health network, which includes 34 satellite clinics, two mental health hubs, two psychiatric inpatient facilities, two neurodiversity centres, and nine integrated clinics. The launch expands mental health support for Abu Dhabi’s multicultural community. It introduces a dedicated service for young people with complex needs. The network’s integrated approach ensures comprehensive care across outpatient, inpatient, and therapeutic services.