MAKKAH, 14 March 2007 — According to statistics released by a psychologist at King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Makkah, 24,000 mental cases were documented during 2006. That is 1,800 cases per month, he said, adding that a third of such cases involve women.

Dr. Rajab Bersali, head of the hospital’s psychiatric department, told Arab News that the number was significant. “Most of the cases are a direct result of a lack of adherence to Islamic principles, drugs abuse and domestic problems,” he said.

Dr. Bersali said common psychological problems that patients suffer from include anxiety, nervousness and shivering. The surrounding world, according to him, also contributes to psychological problems, especially due to the occurrence of natural disasters, wars and terrorism.

The psychiatric department head said there are four things that lead people to commit suicide. The first include social and environmental problems such as family problems, poverty, unemployment and drugs abuse. Psychological problems — such as anxiety, especially when accompanied by mental illnesses or other emotional inconsistencies — are another cause. Even a person’s genes can cause a person to commit suicide and scientific research shows that individuals that come from families in which suicide is common are very much at risk of committing suicide.

The doctor said there was an increase in the percentage of suicide among expatriates and overstayers. “These workers come from their countries with psychological problems. Such psychological problems could be inherited or are a result of alcoholism, poverty and ignorance. A worker’s poor relationship with one’s sponsor could also cause a worker to commit suicide,” he said.

“There is a special committee run by specialized doctors... It has branches all over the Kingdom and takes care of AIDS patients. The committee prepares patients psychologically to start taking medicine and cope with their diseases. Ninety percent of people with AIDS suffer from serious depression. A significant number of them have even tried to end their lives. We have tried helping them overcome their problems by providing intensive programs and sessions,” said Dr. Bersali.

He added that speed pills are common among Saudi youth, especially among students.

“They take speed pills because they think that would help them concentrate when revising for exams. A single tablet costs SR5 to SR10. According to scientific studies, speed pills affect a person’s mental functioning,” he said, adding, “With time this would lead to many problems and behavioral issues; a person could even develop schizophrenia.”

Dr. Bersali added that 20 percent of people in the Kingdom, Saudis and non-Saudis, take hashish. “It is now widespread among women too. Their aim is to get fake pleasure. Other drug types include some locally-made substances and glue, which are commonly used by young schoolchildren,” he said.

Speaking about some mentally ill patients, he said: “I came across a Saudi man who works as a pilot. He was the best in his class. He became an alcoholic and gradually developed schizophrenia. He developed many psychological problems after losing his job and divorcing his wife. He is still receiving treatment at the hospital, yet his case is hopeless.”

He added, “The worst case that I ever came across was of a 16-year-old girl who was raped by her drug addict father. One night he took some drugs and lost his senses. He attacked his own daughter, who fought him but could not match his power and at the end he raped her. The girl is still suffering from a severe psychological problem.”

Dr. Bersali added that a young drug addict was transferred to hospital and after staying there for some time, his mother could not live without him and convinced the authorities to release him. “He rewarded her by beating her to death. The sad thing is that he is not even sorry for what he has done,” he said.