Globally, mental disorders account for over 32% of years lived with disability (YLDs), and 13% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15-29, which is mainly a representable university age group. In Saudi Arabia, 34% of the population have a lifetime mental disorder and around 40% of the 15-24 age group have at least one. In 2016, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) established the Well-Student Center (WSC) in the three campuses (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Alahsa) intending to offer free mental health services to all students. Services are available throughout the year with complete privacy which can facilitate their academic career and create psychological and professional stability, making them prepared to work in the service and development of the nation's health. The center provides its services to help with:
• Social Stress & Exam stress
• Depression
• Phobia
• Addiction
• Time management
• Social relationships issues
• Family issues
Contribution to the SDGs:
Services include but are not limited to promoting mental health and wellness, and preventing and treating substance abuse (SDG3).
Holistically, these SDGs lead to better equal education opportunities and lower school dropout rates (SDG4). After the successful completion of their studies, students have a better chance of finding decent health-related jobs (SDG4) which then can help support their families and reduce poverty (SDG1).