King Abdulaziz University Organises World Mental Health Day Forum to Promote Awareness and Combat Stigma

King Abdulaziz University Organises World Mental Health Day Forum to Promote Awareness and Combat Stigma

 

King Abdulaziz University (KAU), represented by its Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, organised the 2026 World Mental Health Day Forum in collaboration with the Health Promotion Centre’s Mental Health Promotion Unit. Held under the theme “Lived Experiences, Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, the forum took place on Monday, 12 October 2026, at the King Fahd Medical Research Centre.

Organised by the Clinical Psychology Programme, the forum aimed to advance scientific understanding of mental health and related disorders while connecting scientific knowledge with individuals’ lived experiences. It also sought to contribute to the development of mental healthcare services, reduce the social stigma associated with mental disorders, and promote evidence-based therapeutic practices.

The forum featured an interactive awareness exhibition comprising several specialised stands, including an exhibition by Wisal Club, which offered interactive experiences exploring artistic expression and strategies for managing troubling thoughts. Healthcare and mental health organisations from within and outside the University also participated, introducing visitors to available services and raising awareness of the importance of mental health.

The forum focused on three key themes: empowering patients’ experiences to inform change, promoting behavioural awareness and effective healthcare responses, and exploring innovation and ways to improve access to mental healthcare services.

 

A central panel discussion, entitled “From Lived Experience to Practice”, explored how real-life experiences can inform and improve healthcare practices. The discussion also examined approaches to developing mental healthcare services that are more responsive to the needs of individuals and the wider community.

 

The programme also included four specialised scientific workshops covering the design of mental health services informed by service users’ experiences, the relationship between emotional triggers and health responses, the influence of the biological clock and daily habits on mental health, and innovative approaches to improving the experiences of individuals accessing mental healthcare services.