Current mental health trends in Saudi Arabia: Implications for psychiatric nursing practice

In Saudi Arabia, mental health disorders are highly prevalent, but very few people seek treatment for these disorders. Rapid societal changes are also influencing the prevalence of mental illness and the types of illnesses experienced.

The study aimed to explore current mental health trends in Saudi Arabia.

An exploratory qualitative design was employed. The data were sourced from five publicly available YouTube videos that met the inclusion criteria. The videos were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Four themes emerged from the analysis: Islamic psychology, societal shift, knowing the self, and healthcare access and design. "Islamic psychology" focused on finding new perspectives to deal with mental illness inspired by the rich Islamic heritage. "Societal shift" portrayed the changes in Saudi society and their impact on mental well-being. "Knowing the self" depicted the key component in promoting mental wellness. "Healthcare access and design" shed light on present complexities and areas for improvement.

Nurses' familiarity with and knowledge of the evolving mental health landscape can improve prevention and treatment in acute and community settings.

This study's findings can inform nurse leaders seeking to equip nurses with the necessary training and resources to care for mentally ill patients. The findings can also be used as a source of information when reforming services to meet changing needs.