Saudi Arabia: Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Primary Health Care
for Children, Adolescents, Pregnant Women and New Mothers in the Middle East and North Africa Region
Highlights
This report presents findings and recommendations from implementation research in Saudi Arabia on integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into primary health care for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and new mothers. The research which is part of a multi-country initiative under the WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme, aimed to understand how MHPSS can be effectively delivered through primary care in Saudi Arabia and explored connections with key sectors - child protection and education.
Key recommendations include developing national mental health policies and strengthening MHPSS integration into Primary Health Care (PHC) services. It emphasizes improving collaboration between sectors such as health, education, and social services, increasing workforce training, and utilizing digital tools for mental health care. Additionally, raising public awareness and reducing stigma around mental health are highlighted as crucial steps for improving access and support.
