Trigger warning: this article discusses suicide.
Yesterday, social media platforms flooded with news of the new law reforms that were taken by the UAE pertaining to many aspects regarding social and personal life. Many of those reforms tackled issues concerning the rights of women in the country, in addition to our topic of discussion: a reform on the law concerned with suicide.
Previous Law
In short, suicide was considered somewhat illegal in the country. The Federal Penal Law in the country previously stated that it was considered an offence to attempt suicide, completely disregarding the reason leading up to the attempt. Any person that attempted suicide or assisted someone else in the act was to be prosecuted by the law. Such prosecution led to the issuance of fines or even imprisonment.
The Reform
Following a decree from the president of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a new legal reform is to be implemented effective immediately regarding the status of suicide and suicide attempts in the country. Now, suicide attempts and self-harm have been decriminalized and are no longer punishable by law. Instead, those who are victims of such attempts are referred for professional mental health treatment.
A Big Win
Given the dominant mental health stigma in the Middle Eastern region, this new law reform is a big win for the mental health community. It is of utmost importance that leaders and lawmakers of a nation recognize the importance of mental health and mental health treatment. This is a huge step in the direction of eliminating the stigma in the Arab world.
Mental health advocates and the mental health community are more than proud of the UAE for taking such a big decision to help the community suffering with mental illnesses and related conditions.
Remember, if you are feeling low, please reach out to a professional or someone you can trust. Remember that you are not alone.
UAE national helpline: 800HOPE (8004673)