Saudi Gazette The Ministry of Health has disclosed its statistical findings that 17,699 psychiatric patients required hospitalization during past year while 469,256 persons have had out-patient psychiatric consultations at the Ministry's psychiatric hospitals. Mental health care is one of the current top priorities of the Ministry of Health as it strives to deliver care and treatment to patients with psychological disorders in 18 specialized psychiatric hospitals, 28 psychiatric and rehabilitative centers, and 69 out-patient psychiatric clinics in the Kingdom. Jizan exhibited the highest prevalence rate of mental illness in the Kingdom. Among all the patient referrals to psychiatric clinics across the Kingdom, 12.3 percent of all cases were in the province of Jizan. In a public statement, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeeah, Minister of Health, assured psychiatric patients and their families that a strategic plan has been set to upgrade psychiatric care in the Kingdom. Social support networks, volunteers, and mental health professionals are becoming more active in providing services and increased awareness for those suffering from mental sickness and their families. Clear procedures have been implemented to achieve unique and exemplary mental health care by the middle of next year. __
