The Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jalajil, directed the formation of a committee for professional and ethical practices in mental health, from a number of specialists, representatives of health authorities, the General Department of Mental and Social Health in the Ministry, and the Saudi Psychiatric Association, to monitor abuses that occur by practitioners in the field of mental health.
periodic reports
The committee undertakes a set of tasks, including monitoring violating practices and applications in mental health, in addition to monitoring violating practices and allegations issued by licensed and unlicensed practitioners in this field, introducing sound professional practices and professional rules, stating the scientific position regarding new applications, and following up What is published in social media, and to clarify the practical and professional point of view on it, and the guidance ensures that periodic reports are prepared and submitted to the authorized person to take the necessary action regarding them.
scientific facts
The decision comes in order to control the correct practices and applications in the field of mental health, while the implementation of the decision is indicated by the National Center for the Promotion of Mental Health, and several specialized bodies with the participation of civil society institutions, while it is relied upon to put an end to many of the jurisprudence and opinions that are broadcast on the communication sites. The social aspect regarding “mental health”, which in most cases collides with established scientific theories and facts in the field of psychology, and it may sometimes be issued by people who are not qualified in the same specialty, and they may not have sufficient qualification, which compels them to express a scientific opinion in some aspects related to the specialization.
From the rights of a mental patient
Inform him of the diagnosis and the progress of the treatment plan before starting it.
Inform him of the extent of his expected response to treatment and the desired benefits from it.
Possible risks and side effects.
Possible therapeutic alternatives.
An experimental treatment, even if it is licensed, is not given without written permission.
Protecting the patient from degrading treatment, financial or physical exploitation.
Not to use physical or moral punishment or both for whatever reason.
Preserving his freedom, and not restricting it to his dismissal except when necessary.