514,000 Took Treatment at Mental Hospitals
The number of people seeking treatment for mental health-related problems has been steadily rising in the Kingdom, with figures reaching 514,214 last year.
The number of patients admitted to these centers in the same period was 32,528, local media said, quoting statistical data recently released by the Ministry of Health.
Visitors to mental health facilities grew by 13.5 percent at 495,484 in 2014-15 as compared to 436,497 in the previous year.
Riyadh Region captured the highest portion of both visitors and those admitted to the facilities with 20.8 and 17.25 percent, respectively.
It was revealed that the number of visitors to social service centers in Eastern, Ahsa and Hafr Al-Batin provinces reached 11,460, 28,780 and 12,041, respectively, last year.
Nervous disorders cases were the highest at 10,907, followed by mental disorders (7,173), behavioral and emotional disorders (5,043), mental disorders arising from the use of mental health related drugs (3007).
Cases of schizophrenia were 1,662, psychological disorders (1,559) and organic-mental disorders (928).
A total of 352 mental retardation cases were reported, the ministry said.
According to experts, mental health disorders are a major public health problem worldwide, affecting people of all ages, cultures and socio-economic statuses. Saudi Arabia has been keen to tackle this issue, and has set up mental health hospitals in major cities to provide best treatment.