UAE-based mental health startup Elggo has rolled out Relief Hub, a free digital support platform built to address the psychological toll of ongoing regional instability. Going live across eight Arab nations, the hub recorded over 600 users within 24 hours of its soft launch, signaling an urgent demand for localized, culturally aware psychological care.
Quick Facts
- Reached over 600 users within 24 hours of launch.
- Live across eight MENA countries including UAE and Lebanon.
- Features an AI journal and free therapist-led group sessions.
Addressing Mental Distress in the Arab World
The Relief Hub arrives at a critical juncture for the region. As conflict and economic instability affect millions, users frequently encounter generic wellness content that fails to capture their lived realities. Elggo designed its new platform as a direct countermeasure to this disconnect.
Currently available in the UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman, the platform targets youth, parents, and anyone affected by crisis. By focusing on immediate emotional processing, Elggo provides a structured alternative to standard digital wellness advice.
“I grew up in Lebanon. I know what war does to people — not from a report, not from a research paper, but from living it,” said Mirna Mneimneh, Co-Founder and CEO of Elggo. “The Arab world has been handed Western mental health tools with an Arabic coat of paint for too long. We’re done waiting for something that fits. We built it.”
A Culturally Grounded AI Journal and Support Directory
Elggo Relief Hub avoids retrofitting broad consumer AI for sensitive use cases. Instead, the platform is structured around three core pillars tailored to regional nuances.
At the center is a clinically informed AI journal. The tool operates with ethical guardrails to provide immediate, private emotional support across Arabic, English, and mixed dialects. It creates a safe space for reflection without attempting to replace professional human care.
Beyond the AI journal, users gain access to free, online group sessions led by therapists. These sessions are segmented by age, language, and location. To round out the ecosystem, Elggo provides a localized support directory so users can find verified hotlines, clinics, and resources specific to their country.
“We’re seeing the mental health space flooded with generic, often inactionable advice,” noted Luma Makari, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Elggo. “Elggo Relief Hub was built to offer one place where people can access support that is more immediate, grounded, and responsible. Whether someone needs to vent, find what works for them, notice small glimmers, or simply get through the day, this hub was designed to meet them there.”
Expanding Crisis Support for Youth and Families
The platform operates on a free and open-access model, aiming for maximum reach during a period of heightened regional anxiety. Schools seeking deeper psychological infrastructure can integrate the broader Elggo K-12 platform, while families can enroll children directly in new online resilience classes tailored for youth ages 9 to 18 across Lebanon and the GCC.
Industry leaders across the MENA health tech sector quickly validated the initiative. Sophie Smith, Founder and CEO of Nabta Health, praised the country-specific nature of the tool, noting it provides practical resources for nervous system regulation.
Noor Jaber, Founder of NAWAT Health, highlighted the disproportionate burden placed on certain demographics during crises. “In times of conflict, women are often carrying fear, uncertainty, and disrupted access to care, while still being expected to hold everything together. Mental health care cannot be an afterthought; it must be part of the response.”
About Elggo
Elggo is a UAE-based startup developing a mental health ecosystem for youth in the Arab world. Through a bilingual platform combining clinically informed digital tools, resilience classes, and localized support resources, the company works with schools, families, and corporate partners to scale accessible emotional support. Beyond K-12 institutional tools, Elggo maintains a direct-to-consumer offering and partners with CSR initiatives to widen access to quality psychological care.
Source: Zawya
