Mental health awareness initiatives in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,

On World Mental Health Day, initiatives in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon focused on increasing awareness and reducing social stigma regarding psychological well-being. In Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Mental Health Promotion led a 2026 national campaign under the slogan ‘Lived Experiences are Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.’ The initiative involves public and private sectors to establish mental health as a fundamental component of overall human health and quality of life. Key objectives include promoting prevention, encouraging early detection of psychological and behavioral changes, and improving service accessibility through integrated digital and in-person channels in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. By highlighting lived experiences, the campaign aims to use personal insights to improve care pathways from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Regional experts emphasized the link between mental health and social stability. In Saudi Arabia, specialists noted that healthy daily habits for children—such as adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and reduced screen time—alongside stable family environments, are essential for emotional regulation. In Kuwait, the Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila, described mental health as a pillar of social development and family stability, calling for collective efforts to reduce stigma. In Lebanon, Aamal International and the Ministry of Public Health organized an awareness day in Dours to address challenges arising from socio-economic pressures, with officials emphasizing that mental health services must be accessible to all as a fundamental human right. Additional activities expanded the regional focus. In Aleppo, Syria, the Directorate of Culture, the Syrian Care Foundation, and Platiflora organized events at the National Library, including workshops and theatrical performances to combat stigma. Officials there noted that psychological care is a ‘vital pillar for societal recovery’ following displacement and crisis.