Arts-Based Mental Health Training to Be Introduced in Saudi Arabia

Community Jameel Saudi Foundation and the National Center for Mental Health Promotion have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate evidence-based arts strategies into mental healthcare services in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will be implemented through the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and is intended to support population wellbeing while aligning with the Health Sector Transformation and Quality of Life programmes under Vision 2030.

Under the partnership, healthcare providers will receive regular training in mental health, culture and the arts to improve care quality and increase awareness of how artistic practices can be used in clinical settings.

The initiative builds on earlier work by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, which hosted the Kingdom's first arts-in-health training programme in December 2025 at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.

Delivered in partnership with New York University, the course brought together 40 participants from local and international mental health organisations and explored the use of the arts in healthcare settings serving children, older adults and medical staff.

The new agreement also builds on discussions held during the Healing Arts Arabia Roundtable in 2023, which was hosted by the Ministry of Health.

Launched in 2023 by the World Health Organization, New York University Steinhardt, Community Jameel and CULTURUNNERS, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab focuses on research and programmes examining the role of the arts in improving health outcomes.