The Saudi Mental Health Care Law (SMHL) was established in 2014; however, no prior study has evaluated mental health professionals’ perceptions or attitudes toward it. This cross-sectional study examines these aspects and their associated factors among psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses in Saudi Arabia (SA). The data were collected from 432 participants using an online electronic survey consisting of four sections, including the Mental Health Legislation Attitudes Scale (MHLAS). Psychiatrists comprised most participants (46.06%), followed by psychologists (36.34%). Most participants were 40 years of age or younger (83.10%). Of the 432 participants, 226 (52.31%) were females. Overall, 28.70% were unaware of the existence of the SMHL. A total of 172 (66.67%) out of 258 participants agreed that the legislation operates well in ensuring treatment for persons who require involuntary admission. There was a statistically significant association between specialty and opinions of treatment efficacy and care benefits of the SMHL (p = 0.031 and p < 0.001, respectively). Official implementation of SMHL in participants’ facilities resulted in high MHLAS scores (p = 0.007). Reading or attending lectures and workshops related to the SMHL resulted in high MHLAS scores (p = 0.044 and p = 0.021, respectively). Negative opinions and uncertainty regarding the effect of SMHL on confidentiality were associated with low total MHLAS scores (p < 0.001). This study highlights the need to increase awareness of the SMHL among Saudi Arabian healthcare workers.

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome, is a widespread, chronic, multifactorial movement condition of the limbs in which patients have an insatiable need to move their legs. It was linked to poor quality sleep among students. Objective: This study aim to explore The Relationship between them among health sciences students who live in dormitory. Methods: We conducted a Quantitative cross-sectional observation study by using a validated questionnaire targeting Health sciences students and compare to those who live in dormitory Summary statistics for the data are presented in the form of numbers and percentages for categorical variables. A mean score for restless leg symptoms and quality of sleep was calculated. A higher score reflects severe symptoms or poor sleep quality. IBM SPSS 26 for windows software was used for the analysis, and a P-value < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 148 students participated in this study. The highest percentage of participants are from the faculty of medicine (58.1%), while participants from other health sciences faculties ranged from 5.4% to 14.2%. 58.1% of the participants are living in the dorms. The relationships between dormitory and restless leg syndrome average score and with sleep quality average score were studied using independent sample t test. The results showed no statistically significant difference between those living in the dorms and those outside the dorms in any of the scores. Even though the results showed no statistically significant difference between students of different faculties in the sleep quality score. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference regarding living in dorms, but there was a statistically significant difference regarding the faculties.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are important mental illnesses that are often associated with depression and anxiety, leading to significant negative consequences. However, research on this topic in Saudi Arabia remains limited. This study aims to examine the risk of EDs among male and female medical students at King Saud University (KSU) and assess their risk factors and association with anxiety and depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 425 participants was conducted, using a convenience sampling method. The study tools consisted of a questionnaire developed by the research team, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). Results: Almost half (49.6%) were classified as high risk for EDs. Obesity was much higher among high-risk students than low-risk students (p < 0.001). Anxiety and depression were greater among high-risk students than low-risk ones. A higher body mass index (BMI) and depression greatly increased the risk of EDs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings support the notion that medical students have a significant likelihood of developing EDs, especially if they have a high BMI and are depressed. The results show the importance of early identification and offering appropriate interventions to this vulnerable group.

Background: Epilepsy is a major neuropsychiatric disorder affecting many people worldwide, with depression and anxiety being common comorbidities that impact the quality of life (QoL). This study aims to examine depression and anxiety in epileptic patients at a tertiary care hospital, King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It also aims to assess participants’ QoL and explore associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 400 participants using a convenience sampling technique. The study tool consisted of a questionnaire, the Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Arabic version of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory. Results: The results revealed that 48.25% of the participants exhibited depression, and 39.75% exhibited anxiety. There was a statistically significant association between depression and educational level, employment status, history of psychiatric disorders, epilepsy duration, and all subscales of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). There was also a statistically significant association between anxiety and educational level, employment status, history of psychiatric disorders, epilepsy duration, and all subscales of QOLIE-31. The mean overall QOLIE-31 score was 60.21 ± 20.19, with educational level and employment status, among other factors, being significantly associated with QOLIE-31. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among epileptic patients, requiring routine screening. Supporting education and employment among epileptic patients also appears to be crucial. Strategies to improve QoL among this population should be developed.

Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystemic disorder first identified as a constellation of hypogonadism, mental retardation, diabetes, alopecia, deafness, and electrocardiogram abnormalities. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman who was born to consanguineous parents. She is suffering from hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, extrapyramidal symptoms, hypothyroidism, alopecia, and sensorineural hearing loss. Her MRI showed iron depositions in globus pallidus bilaterally. She underwent genetic testing and was diagnosed with Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome. She was started on trihexyphenidyl to treat her extrapyramidal symptoms. A few months later, she started to have psychotic symptoms in the form of auditory hallucinations and delusions of persecution. Although she exhibited psychotic symptoms after starting trihexyphenidyl, it is less likely to be causing her symptoms since the symptoms started a few months after taking the medication and she was not on high doses. Thus, it is more likely to be a part of Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome.

Background: The mental health of physicians has become a pressing global concern. High rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout are reported in the literature, with each condition linked to reduced job satisfaction, increased medical errors, and ultimately suicidal ideation (SI). Although research on physicians’ mental health is emerging in Saudi Arabia, data on suicidality remain scarce. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of SI and its determinants among physicians in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 423 physicians across all medical specialties of all ranks, who were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The study tool comprised three main sections. The first section included questions regarding sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and work-related factors. The second section included items on suicidality and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to screen for depressive symptoms. The third section included the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) to measure the coping mechanisms of the participants. Results: SI was disclosed by 9.7% of the respondents, with 0.5% reporting previous suicide attempts. Suicidal ideation was independently associated with low income (OR = 3.94, 95% CI 1.32–11.76, p = 0.014) and higher depression scores (OR = 1.09 per point, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, p = 0.008). Moreover, knowing a colleague with suicidal behavior (i.e., knowing a colleague who had contemplated suicide or had attempted suicide/died by suicide) was significantly associated with SI among our participants (p < 0.001 and p < 0.006, respectively). Higher scores on the BRCS, specifically with respect to growing from adversity and actively replacing losses, were linked to lower odds of SI (p < 0.001 and p < 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: Physicians in Saudi Arabia experience an alarming level of SI that is associated with low income and depression. The results of this study underscore the importance of additional research to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programs designed to enhance mental health support for physicians, encourage adaptive coping mechanisms, foster peer support networks, and combat stigma associated with mental illnesses.