Jeddah, April 13: An estimated 250,000 Saudis suffer from schizophrenia, and “many are not aware of the nature of this mental illness and its impact on the person and society,” according to Samira bint Abdullah Al Farhan, director of the Saudi National Association for Schizophrenia, which held its first board meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.
The Association aims to raise awareness about the disease and provide support and consultation for families and caretakers who work closely with Saudi nationals suffering from this psychological disorder. Al Farhan said that the Association could offer support to the patients’ families through health-care providers in specialised centres.
–Agencies