Saudi Arabia’s New Generation of Mental Health Crisis

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In Saudi Arabia, young people make up the majority of the population. Around a quarter of its residents are between the ages of 15 and 30, totalling around 8.5 million.

Like most places in the world, mental health problems are common among young people. Some studies show that as many as 40% of adolescents and young adults may have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. 

However, while these figures point to a major public health crisis, mental health still only receives limited attention in the Arab region, and many young people do not receive the treatment they need. 

This blog offers information on the mental health disorders experienced by young people in Saudi Arabia and explores the causes of mental health problems among Saudi youth. It also looks into barriers to treatment and what steps can be taken to make mental health support more accessible.

Why Are Young People So Vulnerable to Mental Health Disorders?

Mental health disorders make up almost half (45%) of the global burden of disease among young people aged 10-24. 

Adolescence is a time of many changes—biological, cognitive, emotional, and social—that can lead to challenges and instability, such as identity exploration, changing friendships, and shifting roles within society. At the same time, biological and emotional factors can cause intense feelings, impulsive behaviours, and mood instability that may be difficult to manage.

Mental health disorders among young people affect not only their present well-being but also their quality of life in the future. Mental health problems often persist into adulthood: around half of all mental health disorders start before the age of 14.

Research suggests that social and economic conditions can play a big role in the development of mental health disorders. For example, the rise of eating disorders in many societies appears to be linked to growing social pressures and beauty ideals about body image. Likewise, unemployment, military conflicts, and changing family environments also affect mental health. This means that the prevalence of mental health problems among young people can increase or decrease within societies through time and vary between different places.

How Common Are Mental Health Disorders Among Young People in Saudi Arabia?

Like other places in the world, mental health disorders are common among young people in Saudi Arabia. While large-scale studies and data collection about adolescent mental health are still lacking, a limited number of studies show high rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

A 2023 study based on the Saudi National Mental Health Survey found that:

  • 40.1% of Saudi youth had had a mental health condition at some point in their life
  • 26.84% had experienced anxiety disorders
  • 15.44% had experienced disruptive behaviour disorders
  • 9.67% had experienced mood disorders
  • 7.06% had experienced eating disorders

They also found that only 14.47% of young people with any mental disorder received treatment for their condition.

The 2012 Jeeluna® national cross-sectional study also found that mental health disorders were common among young people, specifically, 10-19-year-old students. Their results suggest that:

  • 14% of students experience depression
  • 6% of students experience anxiety

An analysis of the study found that female and older adolescents were likelier to feel sad, hopeless, or worried.

What Are the Predictors of Mental Health Disorders Among Young People in Saudi Arabia?

There are lots of different factors that contribute to the development of mental health disorders among young people. It’s likely that, in many cases, they’re caused by a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Different disorders are associated with different risk factors, and individuals each experience varied causal pathways.

However, some certain characteristics and experiences make young people more likely to develop mental health disorders than others. These are called predictors of mental health disorders.

Family Relationships and Parenting Style

A 2017 research paper based on the Jeeluna study found that young Saudi Arabian people with poorer relationships with their mothers or fathers were likelier to feel sad, hopeless, or worried. Other studies in the Arab region have found similar patterns, connecting parenting to mood disorders and risky behaviours. For example, a study in Lebanon found that parental understanding was a protective factor against suicidal ideation.

Other research has found that authoritative parent and attachment security (as well as social support) helps to protect against mental health problems among Saudi youth.

In Saudi Arabia and many other Arabic countries, adolescents have strong connections to their families. Some experts suggest that health programs should capitalise on these connections, focusing on building firm parenting and communication skills among parents that help to protect young people against mental health disorders. These programs could help increase parents’ understanding of their children’s emotional and social development and the impact of their relationships.

Body Image

Researchers also found that body image was an important predictor of feeling sad, hopeless, or worried. Specifically, adolescents who thought they needed to gain or lose weight were more likely to feel sad or hopeless.

Body image is also linked to the development of eating disorders among young people, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

In Saudi Arabia and parts of the Arab region, Western values now greatly influence media, culture and social norms. With the spread of Western beauty ideals that idealise a particular ‘thin’ female body type and ‘muscular’ male form, more and more young people may feel dissatisfied or distressed with their body image, contributing to a rise in mental health disorders.

Chronic Illness

The Jeeluna study also showed that chronic illness was significantly associated with mental health problems. This trend fits in with other research from different parts of the world, which consistently finds strong links between chronic illness and mental health.

Bullying and Physical Violence

Bullying is common among young people. It’s also associated with a range of mental health problems and long-term effects. 

Young people who have been bullied are more likely to have relationship and trust issues, develop eating disorders, and struggle with their body image. Bullying is also linked to psychotic symptoms like auditory and visual hallucinations.

A study based on 2012 data found that among intermediate and secondary school students in Saudi Arabia, bullying and exposure to physical violence were both linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Those exposed to physical violence were also more likely to have poorer academic performance.

What Are the Barriers to Mental Health Treatment for Saudi Youth?

Some research suggests that only around 15% of young people who have had a mental health problem received treatment for their disorder. Unfortunately, barriers to treatment prevent young people from receiving the support they deserve and require to recover and reclaim their mental well-being. 

One key barrier to mental health treatment is a reluctance among many young people (and adults) in Saudi Arabia to seek mental health support. Low help-seeking behaviours are often linked to stigma and misconceptions about mental illness. One study found that around half of undergraduates in a Saudi university had negative ideas about people with mental health disorders.

To improve mental health support for young people, it’s essential to challenge and overcome these stigmas and misconceptions. This might involve educational programs for young people, parents, and schools that provide accurate and reliable information about mental health disorders, treatment, and recovery.

Another barrier to effective and tailored treatment is the lack of specialised mental health services for young people in Saudi Arabia. Access to treatment may be improved by specialist child and adolescent psychiatry treatment services, as well as school and community-based interventions that aim to identify symptoms of mental illness among young people. Counselling services in schools can also help support students with their problems, including emotional, social, and cognitive challenges.

The Wave Clinic: Transformative Mental Health Support for Young People

The Wave Clinic offers dedicated residential and outpatient treatment spaces for young people in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We provide a diverse selection of evidence-based modalities delivered by experts in child and adolescent psychiatry worldwide. We work with families alongside young people to build strong and supportive relationships that underpin lasting mental well-being.

At our residential treatment space, we combine exceptional clinical care with education, enriching experiences, and social responsibility, supporting young people in planning and building fulfilling futures. Young people can continue their curriculum education through personal learning programs while broadening their skills with vocational qualifications, cultural exchange, and unforgettable adventures.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, get in contact today. We’re ready to start the journey.

Fiona - The Wave Clinic

Fiona Yassin is the founder and clinical director at The Wave Clinic. She is a U.K. and International registered Psychotherapist and Accredited Clinical Supervisor (U.K. and UNCG).

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