How the meltdown is playing mind games

Dubai: Stay calm or you could go crazy. The human face of the global credit meltdown means increased probability of mental ill health, stress and suicides.

Psychiatrists in the UAE urge readers to seek professional counselling if the financial crisis is proving to be too much.

"Many of my patients have complained of an aggravation in their psychological problems because of the financial crisis," Dr Mahfoudh Rifat, a Dubai-based psychiatrist, told Gulf News.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning of a global surge in suicides and mental disorders.

Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, said last week: "We should not be surprised or underestimate the ... consequences of the financial crisis. It should not come as a surprise if we continue to see ... more suicides and more mental disorders."