Mental Health Resources

It is common to feel this way, and it is important for students to remember that they are not alone with these emotions during their university years.

If help is needed, it is important to know that all RIT Dubai students have access to sessions with the Student Counselor. This professional offers both individual and group counseling to assist students in promoting their mental health and fostering their overall well-being.

In counseling, students can discuss issues and challenges in their academic or personal life they believe might hinder their ability to study, learn, perform, attend, focus, or succeed at RIT. The Student Counselor aims to enhance the emotional health and well-being of students through culturally competent mental health services.

Counseling sessions take place in a safe space and are handled in accordance with the ethical and legal guidelines of confidentiality.

• Academic performance
• Anxiety or stress (feeling very worried or overwhelmed)
• Depression
• Feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control
• Self-esteem 
• Relationship difficulties 
• Suicidal feelings
• Race, ethnicity, or cultural identities (feelings of belonging and navigating norms and expectations)
• Sexual assault and violence
• Eating and body image concerns
• Illness or death of a loved one and grief

Single Session Counseling
These sessions cater to the individual needs of students who have a specific goal they would like to work on or feel the need to discuss a specific matter without the need for a reoccurring goal plan. These one-time sessions are between 45-60 minutes long. Students have the option to request Short-Term Counseling after their Single Session if they feel they might benefit from it. The Counselor will make suggestions and recommendations to students if they believe the student will benefit from additional support.

Short- term Individual Counseling
These 60-minute sessions are held once a week and are tailored to help students discuss any concerns they believe are hindering their ability to succeed at a university level or in their own personal growth journey. Students will explore strategies to help them meet their goals.

Group Workshops and Community Support Initiatives
As part of the Counseling Support Services plan to promote a healthy, safe, and mindful community at RIT Dubai, group workshops and community building initiatives aimed at spreading awareness will take place periodically discussing various topics pertaining to Mental Health and overall well-being. Students are encouraged to share suggestions on programming ideas.

This can include genuine concern about someone’s mental health. If you wish to report concern about another student but want to stay anonymous, please submit an incident report and share information about concerning behavior, etc.  

In case of any on-campus emergency, please refer to the points of contact listed below:

• Kelly Gosa
  Associate Director of Student Affairs
  klgcad@rit.edu
  043712017 
• Christina Ayub
  Senior Student Affairs Officer
  cxacad1@rit.edu
  043712133
• Hala Bakir
  Student Counselor
  hbcad@rit.edu
  043712112

For more information or assistance, you can also send an email at dubaistudentaffairs@rit.edu. Students who require external mental health support will be connected with external resources.

For all other emergencies, students are advised to dial the respective hotline numbers:

• The DCAS SOS app
  You can download the DCAS SOS app to request for emergency ambulance services from Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. The app has an SOS (signal of distress) feature, which determines the exact location of the patient. It provides services for individuals, establishments, and people of determination with hearing disabilities and visual disabilities. The DCAS SOS app is available on Google Play and App Store.
• OS - AD999 app
  You can use the Abu Dhabi Police’s AD999 app to report a fire, request for an ambulance or call the emergency helpline immediately by pressing the SOS button. The AD999 app is available on Google Play and App Store.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention’s dedicated Mental Health Support hotline 800-4673. The support line is available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily and offers advice and signposting to other free-of-cost services and hospital support. The service is in Arabic and English.

The following places will provide emergency care:

• Rashid Hospital, ER (Oud Metha)
  04-219-1000/2000
   
• Al Amal Hospital (Al Aweer)
  04-519-2154
• Foundation for Women & Children (Al Aweer)
  04-606-0300
  800-111
  SMS: 5111 (Helpline)
• CDA Child Protection Services
  child@cda.gov.ae
  800 988