Changing attitudes toward mental illness, treatment in Saudi Arabia

With psychotherapy, therapists have guidelines for treatment that help them conclude the patient’s diagnosis, leading to the necessary course of treatment, which sometimes also require medication. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 18 June 2020
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Changing attitudes toward mental illness, treatment in Saudi Arabia

  • The younger generation of Saudis is already very open about seeking treatment, says expert

JEDDAH: Stigma toward mental health is something many Saudis still face, and can be measured through their reluctance to seek help, their inability to talk about their issues or to admit there is something wrong.
According to Saudi psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral therapy consultant Haifa Al-Gahtani, things have drastically changed in the past 20 years.

“I remember when I first began my career, people would cover their faces; even male patients would use their headpiece (shemagh) to cover their identity. Nowadays, in my center, people walk freely through the door and ask for a consultation,” she told Arab News.

She added: “The new generation is already very open about seeking treatment, and part of their openness is due to increased awareness.”

She said the prevailing attitude is not ideal and could be improved, but is much better than before. People have been using the internet to stay connected and read more, realizing that mental problems are not different from physical ones, she added.

With nearly 20 years in the field of psychology, Al-Gahtani has witnessed people who believe in and sympathize with victims of evil eye and envy — commonly believed in the Arab world — yet dismiss those with mental illnesses without compassion.

“Culturally, the evil eye and envy are accepted, but many people look at mental illness as a weakness of religious belief and weakness of personality,” she said.

The psychiatrist believes that everyone can play a major role in decreasing the stigma further through education in schools, colleges and workplaces.

Al-Gahtani believes that the stigma can disappear through people embracing their mental health issues and not being afraid to speak about them. 

“You don’t have to go everywhere and tell people you have depression, but at the same time, if people have depression, they need to perceive that it’s an illness and they can seek treatment and it is treatable,” she said, adding that encouraging others to get help is key.

Why is psychotherapy uncommon?

The notion among people is that a doctor is only meant to prescribe medication; it is evidence-based and researched enough to be proven efficient in treating many mental health issues, but according to Al-Gahtani, it is not always the best course of action due to “cases not responding to medication.”

“A lot of people have misconceptions about medication, that it will cause dependency, or destroy the patient’s brain. These are all myths. There are a few that can be addictive, but these are rarely used in practice. As long as a doctor prescribes the medication, there should not be a dependency on them,” she said.




For most mental health problems, in particular mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and phobias, cognitive behavioral therapy is very effective. (Reuters)

There are some cases where it is crucial for the patient to be medicated in order to help them concentrate; their level of energy and motivation is very low and therapy loses its efficacy, she added.

With psychotherapy, therapists have guidelines for treatment that help them conclude the patient’s diagnosis, leading to the necessary course of treatment.

“After sitting down with the client, sifting through a diagnosis, we set up a treatment plan, which usually is based on the severity of the patient’s illness. For instance a person with depression, mild, moderate or severe — we have set guidelines that direct us on the route to follow. For mild and moderate cases, international guidelines state that psychotherapy which is either cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, or psychodynamic therapy has proven to be efficient to treat them,” Al-Gahtani said.

The reason for the decline in psychotherapy in the Kingdom, she said, is that the number of trained therapists is low compared with the number of people seeking help.

FASTFACTS

• Chronic psychotherapy has been recently included in in the medical insurance system.

• There is a lack of trained therapists in the Kingdom.

• Depending on the therapist, the cost of a session may range from SR400 ($106) to SR800.

Most treatment courses conclude when medication is prescribed. Therapy needs time and effort, while being costly, with a single session costing from SR400 ($106) to SR800, depending on the therapist, she said.

Due to that, and lack of awareness, many people think they cannot afford therapy sessions.

“Thankfully, a recent mandate that includes chronic psychotherapy in medical insurance has been modified, when it used to only include acute mental health issues. Insurance companies would settle a medical bill for pills that cost SR100 per month and that would be it. But with costly psychotherapy sessions, as the doctor prescribing them, I have to write a strong statement to ensure that insurance covers my patient’s expenses for their sessions,” she added.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most popular in the Kingdom.

By default, people go for cognitive behavioral therapy because of its availability in Saudi Arabia, said Al-Gahtani. For most mental health problems, in particular mood disorders, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, it is a very effective course of treatment, but CBT is not for everyone.

According to the CBT therapist, consultant and trainer, CBT entails a patient coming in to discuss their issues with the therapist, who in turn helps them set goals.

After every session, the patient has an assignment to complete when they get home, writing thoughts, feelings, talking about a situation that made them angry, anxious or disappointed, depending on the issue they had discussed with their therapist.

From there, they come back and discuss their assignment with the therapist, analyze it and try to look at it from a different perspective, see if the set goals are achievable, and if they are, they move on to the next target, and so on.

“An example is a person who has a fear of public speaking, giving presentations or speeches to a crowd; what a CBT therapist does is ask them to write every situation that makes them anxious, praying in the mosque, speaking in a meeting, saying no, starting from the least worrying to most. We go through directing exposure gradually until it goes away, their confidence increases, and so on. It is fully dependent on the patient’s commitment to the work needed between each session,” Al-Gahtani said.


Saudi Arabia welcomes US-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo

Updated 28 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes US-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo

  • Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Kingdom hopes accord would meet “the hopes and aspirations of two peoples for development and prosperity”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a deal facilitated by the United States with support from Qatar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom hoped the accord would meet “the hopes and aspirations of the two peoples for development and prosperity,” and contribute to “regional and international security and peace.”

The ministry also praised “the diplomatic efforts and constructive role played by the United States of America and the State of Qatar in this regard.”

The agreement, finalized on Friday, aims to de-escalate long-running tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, which have intensified in recent years over accusations of mutual support for armed rebel groups operating along their shared border.

The most prominent of these is the M23 militia, which Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of backing — a charge Kigali denies.

Efforts to mediate between the two neighbours have gained urgency amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, where conflict has displaced more than seven million people.

The US and Qatar have played key roles in recent months in bringing the two sides to the table for talks, culminating in the formal agreement to ease hostilities and commit to renewed dialogue.


Jeddah exhibition gives internet cafes an artistic reboot

Seventeen artists and collectives have had their work on display at ‘Internet Cafe,’ an exhibition inspired by the digital age.
Updated 28 June 2025
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Jeddah exhibition gives internet cafes an artistic reboot

  • Local artists revive communal, quirky, deeply human qualities of early web era

JEDDAH: Internet cafes in Jeddah were once popular spots with pay-by-the-hour internet access; they have now provided the inspiration for the city’s latest exhibition.

In a collaboration between Kham Space and Estiraha, 17 artists and collectives have had their work on display at “Internet Cafe,” an eight-day exhibition which explored the concept of connection and intimacy in the digital age.

Asaad Badawi’s installation paid tribute to early programmer culture. (Supplied)

Abeer Sultan, who curated the exhibition alongside Mbarak Madhi and Fai Ahmed, spoke to Arab News about the early process in contemplating the theme.

The idea for the exhibition, which concluded on Friday, stemmed from an exasperation over incessant scrolling, and the deluge of information that has usurped our daily lives.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The idea for the Jeddah exhibition stemmed from an exasperation over incessant scrolling, and the deluge of information that has usurped our daily lives.

• Some of the works were meant to act as ‘hyperlinks’ to connect ideas, as well as creating a communal space and mimicking the social space of a cafe.

She said: “We wanted to do something that is about us now, and maybe the future as well; not only going back to things for nostalgia or the good old days, as they say.

‘Closed eyes under a sunny sky I’ by Zahiyah Alraddadi. (Supplied)

“Maybe it has something that we can use today, especially now that there’s a movement of people trying to slow down, using dumbified devices throughout the internet.”

Instead of creating a literal internet cafe, the curators focused more on the nuances a cybercafe used to have.

"F.A.R." by Dalal Madhi's work. (Supplied)

Their approach to the space was categorized into three themes: “Disconnected Understanding, Linked Source,” “In the Shadow of a Doubt, Light My Screen,” and “Whirling Algorithms of a Distant Dream.”

Artist Zahiyah Alraddadi, who usually paints works focusing on the significance of the mundane, took oil to canvas to paint “Closed Eyes Under a Sunny Sky I” and “Familiar Features.”

The a piece by Ahaad Alamoudi, “Land of Dreams” takes a humorous approach. (Supplied)

Her work feels meditative and was intended to slow visitors down as they walked through the space — much like the feel of a buffering screen page.

Some of the works were meant to act as “hyperlinks” to connect ideas, as well as creating a communal space and mimicking the social space of a cafe.   

Studio bin Hattan, which is led by artist Elham Dawsari, displays “Cultural Override” derived from her father’s archives from the 80s, who was interested in computer graphics. (Supplied)

Anhar Salem’s work “After Now” was a curtain imprinted with thumbnails of YouTube videos. The artist conducted a survey asking people between the ages of 18 and 40 to share their YouTube video recommendations, making up a curtain of information overload.

Next to that, Tara O‛Conal’s video installation was a film sequence — but the catch is, nothing really happened. The film continued to load, glitch, and reload, perhaps suggesting commentary on our constant yearning for contact.

Hayfa Al-Gwaiz’s “Long Distance” is a painted form of FaceTime video calls. The work explores digital intimacy by centering not the callers’ faces, but the ceilings above them. (Supplied)

“Compared to Anhar’s work, (Tara’s) feels like a pawn, in a way, to look at,” Sultan said.

Some works were inspired by computer graphics. Asaad Badawi paid tribute to early programmer culture via telephone-book-inspired art, and his father, who is a programmer.

Madhawi Al-Gwaiz's works are painted in a graphic style that is reminiscent of early 00s and '10s graphics styles. (Supplied)

Studio bin Hattan, which is led by artist Elham Dawsari, displayed “Cultural Override,” derived from her father’s archives from the 1980s. Madhawi Al-Gwaiz paints in a style that echoes digital graphics from the early 2000s.

Others took a more distanced approach. ThirdSpace’s “Untitled Table” was a physical object, but the research behind it was about keyboards that then shifted to Hijazi architecture, drawing on the iconography and architectural languages across the history of the region.  

Tara O‛conal’s video installation is a film sequence in nature—but the catch is, nothing really happens. The film continues to glitch and reload, perhaps suggesting commentary on our constant yearning for contact. (Supplied)

Hayfa Al-Gwaiz’s “Long Distance” was a painted form of facetime video calls. The work explored digital intimacy by showcasing not the callers’ faces, but the ceilings above them — a scene that’s familiar to anyone who has taken up a long-winded video call with a loved one and set down the phone to cater to life’s more immediate demands.

While the exhibition tackled the digital boom personified through cybercafes, it notably avoided artificial intelligence.

Sultan explained: “It is the idea of being fast and efficient, which is what we are resisting with AI …  It’s dominating the internet in a weird way, and we wanted a space where people customized things manually, going back to montadayat (domains) where people had to do things by themselves. There’s no template.”

The last piece was by Ahaad Alamoudi, and “Land of Dreams” took a humorous approach to directing audiences to their dreams. As you walked toward the work, in an outdoor area outside the confines of the exhibition space, visitors were met with foam boards of the iconic Emirati singer Ahlam.

Sultan said: “The work accentuates the fact that the dream land is a subjective experience or idea, and everyone would have their own imagination of what that is, whether it's Ahlam or something else.”

The “Internet Cafe” was a love letter to a new digital age — one that is sustainable, communal, and deliberately slow.  

“This is our way of keeping in touch with other people. An exhibition space is also a space where people meet, even if it’s for a moment, to have these conversations together, which is really important,” Sultan said.

 


Rooted in earth: Rafha’s mud structures tell a story of sustainability

Updated 28 June 2025
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Rooted in earth: Rafha’s mud structures tell a story of sustainability

  • The buildings were constructed using indigenous methods and natural materials including mud, stone, wood, and palm fronds

RIYADH: In the heart of northern Saudi Arabia, the mud buildings of Rafha stand as “a vibrant narrative of traditional architecture, reflecting authenticity, creativity, and cultural identity,” the Saudi Press Agency said in an article on Saturday.

These structures tell the story of an ancient past, “embodying traditional architectural ingenuity that connects people to the land.”

Rafha’s historic mud structures are an appealing destination for anyone interested in history, heritage, and traditional craftsmanship. (SPA)

Located along one of the Kingdom’s most significant tourist routes, the buildings “integrate cultural heritage with the natural environment,” the SPA wrote, and “serve as living records of generational memory, preserved through architectural details.”

This makes them an appealing destination for anyone interested in history, heritage, and traditional craftsmanship.

FASTFACTS

• The buildings in Rafha were constructed using indigenous methods and natural materials including mud, stone, wood, and palm fronds.

• Local authorities are making efforts to restore and maintain these mud structures, preserving their historical and cultural value.

The buildings were constructed using indigenous methods and natural materials including mud, stone, wood, and palm fronds. Their design responds to the local environment, maintaining balanced indoor temperatures during scorching summers and cooler winters. Most feature an inner courtyard, surrounded by rooms arranged in a circular layout, reflecting a strong sense of community.

Rafha’s historic mud structures are an appealing destination for anyone interested in history, heritage, and traditional craftsmanship. (SPA)

These mud buildings illustrate “a deep harmony between humans and their environment,” the SPA wrote, adding that they also “reflect sustainable building principles that long predate modern green architecture.”

Local authorities are making efforts to restore and maintain these mud structures, preserving their historical and cultural value while promoting them as distinct parts of the Saudi tourism landscape.

 


Malaysia grants Saudi Hajj minister Al-Rabiah 'Hijra Personality of the Year' award

Updated 28 June 2025
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Malaysia grants Saudi Hajj minister Al-Rabiah 'Hijra Personality of the Year' award

  • Tawfiq Al-Rabiah Al-Rabiah was presented with his award by Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah received the International Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah 2025 award in Malaysia on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Malaysia grants the award — the name of which translates to Person of the Year for Hijrah — annually to an influential Muslim personality to recognize their contributions to Islamic causes.

Al-Rabiah won the award for his efforts in developing systems designed to make Hajj and Umrah run safely and smoothly for pilgrims.

Al-Rabiah was presented with his award by Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Religious Affairs Mohammed Naeem bin Mukhtar were present at the ceremony.

The event was held in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of Hijri New Year.

 


Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

Updated 28 June 2025
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Muslim World League condemns Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza, West Bank

  • Organization describes actions as part of wider pattern of settler aggression

RIYADH: The Muslim World League on Saturday strongly condemned recent Israeli attacks on civilian shelters and ongoing violence against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The MWL has described the actions as part of a wider pattern of settler aggression carried out with impunity under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, the SPA added.

The MWL’s Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who also chairs the Organization of Muslim Scholars, denounced in a statement issued by the MWL’s General Secretariat what he called “heinous crimes” committed against unarmed civilians, including recent attacks by settlers on the village of Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah.

He added that the “brutal assaults” were a “blatant violation of all human values as well as international laws and norms.”

He urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and take decisive action against what he described as the occupation government’s ongoing disregard for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

Al-Issa also called for the immediate activation of international mechanisms to halt the violence and ensure accountability for those responsible for what he termed “horrific massacres.”

His comments came after Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday condemning the violence, denouncing “the continued violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, against Palestinian civilians, including the attacks in the village of Kafr Malik.”