Abstract
Background: Mental health disorders affect approximately 60% of patients in primary healthcare (PHC) settings, yet conditions like depression and anxiety often remain undiagnosed due to limited provider training. Saudi Arabia has progressively integrated mental health into PHC services, aligning with the WHO’s mhGAP Plan (2013–2030). This study examines these efforts and introduces the Five-Step Model (AlKhathami Approach) as a framework to enhance mental health care delivery.
Methods: This study reviews three stages of integration: early training programs (1995–1999), the pilot PMHC program in the Eastern Province (2003–2016), and nationwide implementation (2017–2022). Data from 1,406 PHC centers, covering 114,068 patients and 329,016 visits, were analyzed. Training initiatives targeted 8,981 providers, emphasizing the Five-Step Model and a Training of Trainers (TOT) strategy.
Results: By 2022, PMHC services were implemented in 75% of PHC centers, achieving a 77.2% improvement rate among patients and an 8% referral rate to psychiatric hospitals. Challenges such as workforce shortages, geographic barriers, and stigma were addressed through mobile training, community awareness, and technological investments.
Conclusion: Saudi Arabia’s phased integration demonstrates the effectiveness of structured models like the AlKhathami Approach in enhancing mental health services. These efforts position the country as a global leader in mental health integration, offering a scalable model for improving mental health care in PHC settings worldwide.
Keywords
Mental Health; primary healthcare services; Saudi Arabia; AlKhathami Approach