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Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Koenig, HG; Al Zaben, F; Sehlo, MG; Khalifa, DA; Al Ahwal, MS
Published in: Int J Psychiatry Med
2013

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.

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Published In

Int J Psychiatry Med

DOI

ISSN

0091-2174

Publication Date

2013

Volume

46

Issue

3

Start / End Page

223 / 242

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Work, Psychiatric
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatry
  • Policy Making
  • Mental Health Services
  • Mental Disorders
  • Male
  • Humans
  • History, 21st Century
 

Citation

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Koenig, H. G., Al Zaben, F., Sehlo, M. G., Khalifa, D. A., & Al Ahwal, M. S. (2013). Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia. Int J Psychiatry Med, 46(3), 223–242. https://doi.org/10.2190/PM.46.3.a
Koenig, Harold G., Faten Al Zaben, Mohammad Gamal Sehlo, Doaa Ahmed Khalifa, and Mahmoud Shaheen Al Ahwal. “Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.Int J Psychiatry Med 46, no. 3 (2013): 223–42. https://doi.org/10.2190/PM.46.3.a.
Koenig HG, Al Zaben F, Sehlo MG, Khalifa DA, Al Ahwal MS. Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2013;46(3):223–42.
Koenig, Harold G., et al. “Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia.Int J Psychiatry Med, vol. 46, no. 3, 2013, pp. 223–42. Pubmed, doi:10.2190/PM.46.3.a.
Koenig HG, Al Zaben F, Sehlo MG, Khalifa DA, Al Ahwal MS. Current state of psychiatry in Saudi Arabia. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2013;46(3):223–242.
Journal cover image

Published In

Int J Psychiatry Med

DOI

ISSN

0091-2174

Publication Date

2013

Volume

46

Issue

3

Start / End Page

223 / 242

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Work, Psychiatric
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatry
  • Policy Making
  • Mental Health Services
  • Mental Disorders
  • Male
  • Humans
  • History, 21st Century