Mental health services and research in the Arab world

Although there are 22 Arab countries in the Arab League, the mental health services provided in those countries show several forms of variation. Economic, political, social and cultural factors seem to play a major rule in determining the state of the psychiatric profession and the access of the service to citizens. The different needs expressed by Arab colleagues at times seem incompatible with the available allocated resources. Some Arab countries enjoy the highest income per capita, yet this is inconsistent with the quality of mental health services available there. The per capita mental health services, the availability of a Mental Health Act, and the space allocated for mental health in medical curricula are but a few of the concerns that have been expressed by colleagues from the different countries of the Arab region. The following review will attempt to draw up a profile of the situation for mental health services and research in the region, and to suggest some measures for intervention.