The Ministry of Health's decision to build 14 additional mental health hospitals around the Kingdom raises an important question about the increasing numbers of sufferers from psychological disorders in the country and all over the world. Although no precise statistics are available for Saudi Arabia, World Health Organization (WHO) studies indicate that sufferers of psychological disorders make up 20% of any given society, and the Psychological Health Hospital in Jeddah puts the number of sufferers at an estimated 25% of Saudi society. Despite these indications, while the civilized world treats sufferers as patients deserving of care and attention, Arab societies continue to look at anyone suffering from psychiatric problems as “insane”. What is the reason for this attitude? How can it be corrected? Do people need education to spare sufferers and their families by the frowns of a society that forever looks down on them? Sufferers of psychological disorders are part of our society and live among us, sometimes hidden away in hospitals, clinics, or houses, targets of suspicious looks, and sometimes pity, which, over time, only increases their suffering and turns them into enemies of a society that has ignored their rights and labeled them insane, when they might in fact be more “sane” than their accusers. Dr. Nawwaf Al-Harithi, director of the Psychological Health Hospital in Jeddah, estimated that 25% of Saudi society had psychological disorders, saying that in Jeddah alone there were some 500,000 persons in need of psychological consultation. Al-Harithi added that in 2001 the number of patients was 47,774, of which 40% were men and 60% women. He said other recent statistics showed there has been a 10% increase. Specialists differentiate between a sufferer of a psychological disorder and an “insane” person noting that the former is aware of his illness and behavior and social interaction. For example, a sufferer of hallucinations might hear or see things that do not exist, but they know they are not there which makes their behavior normal, while a mental patient – and mental illnesses are many – might believe nonexistent things to be real and adjust their behavior accordingly. The attitude towards patients with psychological disorders is a barrier preventing them from receiving proper treatment, according to a local study conducted by Talal Mohammad Al-Nashri and Amal Al-Sayes. Their research showed that 52.5% of subjects did not present themselves at psychiatric units because of the way society views them, while 31.7% said they did not believe in psychological therapy. Of ordinary members of society questioned by the researchers, 57.4% said that sufferers from psychological disorders were dangerous and should be locked up, with only 37.7% viewing them as patients in need of long-term therapy. 20-year-old S.M case is an example. He is a university student who gets depressed when in his family's house. He was advised to seek Roqyah treatment – where verses of the Qur'an are recited – and although he considered it he decided not to go through it. He said when he thought about going to a psychiatrist, it was his fear of society that held him back. “Yes, we live in a Muslim, an educated society, yet it remains locked in its ideas and understanding of some issues. If I wanted to be treated, by Rouqyah or by psychological therapy, my relatives and peers in college would think I was crazy if they found out.” Dr. Rajab Buraisali, director of the Mental Health Hospital in Taif, says disorders can affect someone at any stage of their life. Scientists have attributed the cause to, among other factors, genetic disorders, narcotic substances that affect the workings of the brain, as well as social factors such as family life, school and society. Society's perception of sufferers, according to Buraisali, goes back in history, and has long been connected with madness and insanity, partly due to some involuntary mannerisms on the part of the sufferer, which he or she may not be aware of and which are frowned upon by society. – Okaz/SG __
