Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.
Journal Article
BACKGROUND: In 1983, an article and accompanying editorial was published on the state of psychiatry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which was described as "a mental health system in statu nascendi." METHODS: We provide a 30-year update on advances in mental health care in KSA. Data are reported from a wide range of sources, including the 2007 Saudi Arabian Mental and Social Health Atlas, which compares services in KSA with the rest of the world. RESULTS: We examine how the current mental health system operates in KSA, including recent changes in mental healthcare policy and development of a national mental healthcare plan. Discussed are current needs based on the prevalence and recognition of mental disorders; availability of services and providers (psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and social workers); education and training in psychiatry; developments in consultation-liaison, addictions, child-adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry; and progress in mental health research. CONCLUSIONS: Mental healthcare in Saudi Arabia has come a long way in a very short time, despite cultural, religious, social, and political challenges, although there still remain areas where improvement is needed. The development of psychiatry in KSA serves as a model for countries in the Middle East and around the world.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Koenig, HG; Al Zaben, F; Sehlo, MG; Khalifa, DA; Al Ahwal, MS
Published Date
- 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 46 / 3
Start / End Page
- 223 - 242
PubMed ID
- 24741832
Pubmed Central ID
- 24741832
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0091-2174
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.2190/PM.46.3.a
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States