As organisations across the UAE continue to navigate regional uncertainty, geopolitical developments and the pressures of an always-connected workplace, International SOS, the world’s leading security and health services company, has launched a series of new psychological support sessions designed to support employee mental health and wellbeing during periods of crisis and uncertainty.
In the UAE, employees are often affected not only by local developments but also by events impacting family members, colleagues and communities across the Middle East and beyond. Even when such events do not directly disrupt operations, they can affect wellbeing, focus and productivity. At the same time, workplace pressures continue to grow, with a recent LinkedIn survey reported finding that 68% of professionals in the UAE feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of workplace change, while 89% are seeking support and guidance to help them navigate it. Together, these factors are driving increased demand for practical and scalable psychological support in the workplace.
As the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global business hub, organisations are placing greater emphasis on employee wellbeing, resilience and Duty of Care responsibilities. Employers increasingly recognise that supporting psychological wellbeing is essential to maintaining workforce engagement, decision-making capabilities, productivity and long-term organisational performance.
The psychological support sessions are offered as 30-minute workshops that can be delivered to any employee at any time, enabling scalable deployment without the need for specialist facilitators. The sessions are also culturally agnostic so can be applied consistently across global teams, regardless of geography, role, or background.
International SOS’ psychological support sessions focus on six themes which include:
- Coping strategies in times of crisis: Practical techniques to help employees manage acute stress responses during rapidly evolving situations. Includes recognising early signs of overload, maintaining cognitive clarity under pressure, and applying simple techniques to stabilise emotions and sustain decision-making.
- Balancing work and home: Support for employees managing overlapping professional and personal responsibilities, particularly in high-pressure or crisis contexts. This includes prioritisation techniques, boundary-setting, and maintaining effectiveness across both domains without burnout.
- Support for working parents: Guidance for employees navigating difficult conversations at home. The session provides age-appropriate communication approaches that help children feel reassured, while enabling parents to manage their own emotional responses.
- Managing the 24/7 news cycle: Strategies to reduce the psychological impact of continuous news cycles and digital overload from social media. This includes setting boundaries, managing information consumption, and avoiding escalation of anxiety driven by unverified or repetitive content
- Navigating prolonged uncertainty: Tools to support resilience in environments where disruption is the ‘new normal’. The session advises on maintaining focus, managing ambiguity, and preventing the effects of chronic stress on performance and wellbeing
- Sleep and fatigue management: Practical guidance on protecting sleep quality and managing fatigue during periods of heightened stress. The session addresses the relationship between stress, sleep disruption, and cognitive performance, with actionable steps to improve rest and recovery
All of the sessions are available globally and can be deployed across organisations as part of existing wellbeing and risk management programmes.
