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Mental health continues to be a challenging and often misunderstood topic in the region. Cultural taboos, social stigma, and the high cost of treatment mean that many individuals neglect their mental well-being, even when they are struggling. Fear of judgment and limited access to professional support often prevent people, especially young people, from seeking help.
A UNICEF report sheds light on the scale of the issue, estimating that one in six adolescents in the region is living with a mental disorder. Yet, mental health services remain largely confined to specialized care, with little integration into everyday healthcare or schools. This gap leaves many without timely support and early intervention.
Several factors contribute to these challenges. Many countries in the region lack comprehensive national mental health strategies. Funding for mental health remains limited, and the workforce is often undertrained. Coordination between critical sectors, including health, education, and child protection, is frequently weak, further limiting the reach and effectiveness of available services.
However, the landscape is slowly changing. The emergence of mental health and wellness platforms is helping bridge these gaps, offering more accessible and flexible options for care. These platforms allow individuals to seek support discreetly, often through remote or digital channels, making mental health care more approachable than ever before.
As awareness grows and digital tools evolve, these platforms play a vital role in addressing mental health challenges in the region. Here are five apps making a tangible difference for young people and families alike.
Tuhoon
Founded in Dubai in 2021, Tuhoon is a mental health platform that helps users manage stress and improve sleep, which are among the most common mental health challenges in the region.
At launch, the app introduced a mix of psychoeducational and practical resources, including CBT masterclasses, guided meditations, hypnotherapy, sleep stories, and instructional audio designed to enhance emotional well-being and sleep quality.
Developed in collaboration with doctors, psychotherapists, and certified meditation and self-awareness trainers, Tuhoon focuses on helping users build healthier habits and break cycles of negative thoughts. Its evidence-based methods include cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, relaxation exercises, mood tracking, and guided imagery.
To engage more deeply with its audience, the app also produces original audio content in the Gulf dialect, addressing everyday challenges such as stress, nutrition, and productivity.
O7 Therapy
Launched in Egypt in 2020, O7 Therapy provides comprehensive mental health solutions for individuals and organizations across the Middle East. Its client base includes over 30 major companies, such as L’Oréal, PepsiCo, Vodafone, and Magrabi.
Built on scientific and evidence-based practices, O7 Therapy connects users with a curated network of Arabic-speaking psychiatrists and psychotherapists. A referral system ensures that users can access specialist clinics and hospitals when needed.
Therapy sessions are structured as 50-minute one-on-one appointments, and the platform also offers unlimited texting support, giving users continuous access to psychological guidance and self-help resources.
O7 Therapy provides tailored employee well-being programs for organizations. These include holistic solutions, standalone workshops, webinars, and a masterclass series to promote healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Labayh
Founded in Saudi Arabia in 2018, Labayh provides accessible mental health services for Arabic-speaking users. The platform offers a comprehensive digital solution for individuals and businesses, including anonymous one-on-one therapy sessions available 24/7, structured therapy programs, support groups led by licensed professionals, and a library of recorded webinars.
Labayh expanded its services by acquiring the Abu Dhabi-based meditation app Nafas, adding more than 300 guided meditation audio clips to help users manage stress and anxiety more effectively. Today, the platform features over 1,000 licensed therapists and has logged more than 47.5 million minutes of therapy. Its programs focus on common mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, while tools like self-assessments and a mood tracker allow users to evaluate and monitor their progress over time.
Shezlong
Founded in Egypt in 2014, Shezlong is a digital platform connecting users with licensed psychiatrists and psychologists. The service hosts more than 500 therapists who provide video or voice sessions of up to an hour, with users able to remain anonymous if they wish. Therapy is available in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Turkish, Italian, Armenian, and sign language.
A digital matching tool allows users to input their symptoms and receive tailored therapist recommendations, ensuring more personalized care. Therapists undergo continuous supervision to maintain high standards, and secure systems protect patient data and confidentiality.
Since its launch, Shezlong has handled over 10,000 cases from countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, and the United States. The platform now has more than 100,000 registered users who regularly follow up with their therapists. Beyond therapy services, Shezlong invests in awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and normalize conversations around mental health.
Nafsi
Nafsi Health is a user-friendly and secure mental health platform offering guided meditations, therapy sessions, and free assessments. Users can search for therapists by specialty, language, gender, and experience, and review therapist profiles, including ratings and professional background, before booking a session.
The platform also includes interactive tools such as a mood tracker, enabling users to record emotions daily and receive personalized guidance. Progress can be shared with therapists, and users are rewarded with AED 200 ($54) for completing a 30-day tracking streak.
To improve accessibility, Nafsi Health offers flexible payment options through Tabby and Tamara, allowing users to split costs into interest-free installments without additional fees.
