GCC Mental Health Market

Market Overview:

The GCC mental health market size reached USD 8.6 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 12.3 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4% during 2025-2033. The increasing awareness regarding mental health issues, favorable government policies and programs to improve mental health services, the rising prevalence of mental disorders, insurance and healthcare reforms, and professional development and training represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how individuals think, feel, and act. It's integral to every part of daily life, from making choices and handling stress to relating to others and maintaining physical health. The characteristics of good mental health include the ability to manage stress effectively, maintain fulfilling relationships, make sound decisions, and adapt to changes or cope with adversity. The features that distinguish mental health encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from a state of emotional equilibrium and satisfaction with life to more complex aspects such as self-awareness, resilience, and empathy. However, mental health is not static and can be influenced by various factors including genetics, environment, lifestyle choices, and traumatic experiences. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder may indicate challenges in mental health, but they do not necessarily define it. Promoting positive mental health involves recognizing its multifaceted nature and nurturing not only the absence of mental illness but also the presence of positive attributes such as confidence, creativity, and a sense of purpose. Mental health is not merely the lack of mental disorders; it is a complex and nuanced state, vital to overall well-being, and characterized by an individual's ability to enjoy life, manage challenges, and foster social connections.

GCC Mental Health Market Trends:

Government Initiatives and Policies

Governments in the GCC are introducing progressive mental health policies to enhance mental health care accessibility and quality. These efforts are targeting the development of mental health services, the addition of mental health care into primary health care, and the provision of support for mental health professionals. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are also introducing national mental health strategies and allocating funds for the establishment of mental health facilities and programs. Through proactive prioritization of mental well-being, such governments are developing a favorable environment for mental health services and establishing a more conducive policy environment to deal with the increasing demand. In 2025, The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched a new Mental Wealth Framework with a budget of Dhs105 million focused on improving mental health and wellbeing for the city's residents. This initiative was launched according to the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and UAE Minister of Defence.

Growing Awareness and Destigmatization of Mental Illness

There is a rise in emphasis in the GCC countries on raising consciousness about mental health, which is diminishing the stigma around mental illness. Governments, health organizations, and media campaigns are actively promoting mental health understanding. This is making people more willing to discuss the issue openly and seek help. The area is also seeing greater acceptance of mental health care as an essential aspect of overall health. Consequently, the need for mental health services is steadily increasing, compelling the public as well as the private sector to invest in mental health infrastructure, manpower, and support services to address this changing requirement. In 2024, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) announced its plans of adding advanced technologies to improve mental health service delivery. The hospital also employed digital health platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance the diagnosis and cure for mental health conditions.

Growing Prevalence of Mental Illness

Prevalence of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders is growing across the GCC region due to reasons such as accelerated urbanization, lifestyle transitions, and socio-economic stress. The increasing incidence of these conditions is causing more people to turn to professional care. Providers are reacting by increasing mental health services, creating new treatment strategies, and investing in cutting-edge diagnostic technology. As mental health concerns continue to grow, the need for specialized care and intervention is opening the door for mental health service providers to expand and evolve in the marketplace. In 2025, top professionals from Priory, a worldwide leader in mental health services, announced the plans to discuss mental health stigma and its financial implications at Arab Health 2025. Participating in the Harley Street Health District delegation, Priory’s qualified clinicians hosted a fireside discussion on mental health stigma, its socio-economic effects, and the challenges people encounter when pursuing treatment. The session occurred in the cutting-edge Surgical Simulation Theatre located in the ABHI UK Pavilion.

GCC Mental Health Market Drivers:

Increased Attention to Corporate Well-being

GCC employers are increasingly acknowledging the significance of workplace mental health. A lot of organizations are adding mental health care and well-being programs to corporate culture, with a focus on employee health and productivity. Organizations are providing counseling, stress management sessions, and mental health days for employees. These efforts are being motivated by the realization that a healthy workforce in terms of mental well-being can translate to increased employee engagement, lower absenteeism, and greater performance. With companies focusing on mental health, there is an expanding business space for workplace mental health interventions, prompting investment in mental health infrastructure and services.

Technological Innovations in Mental Health Care

The use of telemedicine and digital mental solutions is revolutionizing the delivery of mental health care in the GCC region. Most individuals are seeking online therapy, mental health applications, and virtual support groups as they opt for more convenient and accessible forms of treatment. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in diagnostic equipment is also improving the accuracy of mental health evaluations and treatment plans tailored to individual patients. This technology-driven transformation is enabling healthcare professionals to treat a wider population and enhance patient outcomes, and it is playing an important role in the growth of the mental health market in the area.

Cultural Shift Towards Preventative Care

There is a distinct cultural change across the GCC in favor of focusing on preventive healthcare, including mental health. With increased interest in overall well-being, people are taking more initiative to ensure their mental health before problems arise. This change is being aided by greater education on the merits of mental health screenings, early intervention, and lifestyle modifications that can prevent the onset of mental health issues. Psychological practitioners are putting more emphasis on encouraging preventive interventions, including stress reduction exercises, mindfulness, and training in emotional resilience, opening the scope for preventive mental health care to develop and expand throughout the region.

GCC Mental Health Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the trends in each segment of the GCC mental health market report, along with forecasts at the country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on disorder, service, and age group.

Breakup by Disorder:

• Schizophrenia
• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression and Anxiety
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Substance Abuse Disorder
• Eating Disorder
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the disorder has also been provided in the report. This includes schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorder, eating disorder, and others.

Breakup by Service:

• Emergency Mental Health Services
• Outpatient Counselling
• Home-based Treatment Services
• Inpatient Hospital Treatment Services
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the service has also been provided in the report. This includes emergency mental health services, outpatient counselling, home-based treatment services, inpatient hospital treatment services, and others.

Breakup by Age Group:

• Pediatric
• Adult
• Geriatric

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group has also been provided in the report. This includes pediatric, adult, and geriatric.

Breakup by Country:

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Qatar 
• Bahrain 
• Kuwait 
• Oman

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

GCC Mental Health Market News:

• June 2025: Burjeel Holdings has inaugurated four specialized mental health centers as part of its mental health and wellness initiative, Alkalma, by incorporating Aspris Healthcare locations. The centres, situated in City Walk and Dubai Healthcare City in Dubai, Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi, and King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, are acknowledged for providing tailored, flexible mental health services addressing a broad range of psychological requirements.
• June 2025: Burjeel Holdings, collaborating with Keralty, a leader in global value-based care, has unveiled a regional mental health platform named Alkalma. The coordinated merger of four leading mental health facilities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia represents a crucial achievement in closing the region’s care gap by offering accessible, compassionate, and prevention-focused services.
• September 2024: Almoosa Health Group, a prominent healthcare organization in Saudi Arabia, has revealed the launch of its state-of-the-art mental health center at Almoosa Rehabilitation Hospital, named Rafa Mental Health Center. By launching Rafa, Almoosa has established itself as the first healthcare provider in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom to offer complete mental health services.
• December 2024: Saudi Arabia announced its plans to launch five new hospitals, increasing bed capacity by 963 in important provinces as part of a larger SR260 billion ($69.3 billion) budget for health and social development. The newly established facilities in Rijal Almaa, Dhahran Al-Janoub, Hail, Makkah, and Riyadh feature a specialized mental health hospital in the capital. The goal of these projects is to improve access to healthcare and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure throughout the Kingdom.

GCC Mental Health Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the GCC mental health market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the GCC mental health market? 
• What is the breakup of the GCC mental health market on the basis of disorder?
• What is the breakup of the GCC mental health market on the basis of service?
• What is the breakup of the GCC mental health market on the basis of age group?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the GCC mental health market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the GCC mental health market?
• What is the structure of the GCC mental health market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the GCC mental health market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the GCC mental health market from 2019-2033. 
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the GCC mental health market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the GCC mental health industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.