Depression Epidemic Threatening Saudi Women

On my daily commute a couple of days ago, I was listening to the morning programme on MBC FM, and there was a discussion of a recent report about prevalence of depression among Saudi women. The programme interviewed Dr. Jamal Altowerki, consultant psychiatrist at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I found the topic so interesting that I googled the report once I got home, and that sparked a mini-research into the subject by yours truly.

According the report published by Ash-Sharg Alawsat Newspaper online on June 10, 2010, 20% to 60% of Saudi women suffer from depression. Dr. Altowerki argued that it is only 20% of Saudi women, and that this percentage is close to the results of the global study published by WHO. However, Dr. Altowerki believes, based on his practice, that the underlying factors of depression in Saudi women are "not receiving basic rights." If you have read my previous post, this certainly rings true.

My search led me to a few more interesting finds. In an article on Reuters.com published on December 18, 2007, Dr. Salwa Alkhatib, a researcher at King Saud University, conducted a study on suicide survivors in 2006 and found that 96 cases were women as compared to only 4 men. She added that "the hospital where she works as a counsellor receives on average 11 suicide attempts by women each month." She also noted that they use light doses of medicine during daytime, which are clearly cries for help rather than serious attempts to end their lives.

Dr. Alkhatib explained that, "Women go through severe depression due to social pressure. The differentiation between males and females inside families contributes to growing pressure ... Men who are raised to be superior mostly look down on women. They develop abusive behaviour to express power over them." As a Saudi woman who watched her younger brothers enjoy the privileges of going out without having to undergo an investigation, having transportation independence, and even being the pride and joy of the elders of the family although what they achieved pales in comparison with what I have, I absolutely can relate to this explanation.

Most interestingly is the fact that Dr. Jawahir Abduljabbar, member of the Epidemiology Unit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, has submitted a project proposal entitled, " Epidemiology of Depression Amongst Saudi Arabian Women: Prevalence and Risk Factors." The project description goes to explain that, " Although biological or sex differences cannot be excluded, it is widely argued that psychosocial factors account for most of this difference between the sexes. The prevailing socio-cultural factors and unequal power relations between men and women in Saudi society are believed to play in promoting or impeding mental health. This research will attempt to estimate the prevalence of depression amongst Saudi Women and to identify socio-cultural factors, stressors and life events, which might endanger women’s mental health."

If Dr. Abduljabbar's project survives politics, it will scientifically prove that the law-backed social constraints are causing depression in Saudi women, which in turn deprives Saudi women, their children and families, and their society from their potential contributions. Hopefully, these new findings will reach the right eyes and ears, helping to change the status quo of Saudi women being deprived of their rightful adult status. I know this would not be done for the sake of Saudi women, but at least it would be done for the sake of a healthy and vibrant human resources-based Saudi economy.