A recent cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of common mental health conditions—depression, anxiety, and stress—and the extent of self-stigma among 612 Saudi males aged 18 and above, highlighting significant public health challenges in the region.
The findings reveal notably high levels of common mental health conditions, with results from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) indicating that:
- Depression was experienced by 51% of participants
- Anxiety affected 50% of participants
- Stress was reported by 36% of participants
This high prevalence is consistent with national data and underscores a growing mental health concern.
Self-stigma, defined as the internalization of negative societal attitudes toward mental illness, was also found to be widespread. Using the Self-Stigma of Depression Scale (SSDS), the study categorized 51% (312 participants) as “having stigma.
The analysis revealed a critical association: greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress was linked to significantly lower self-stigma scores, meaning higher levels of internalized stigma. This suggests a synergistic pattern where distress and stigma mutually reinforce one another, potentially worsening mental health outcomes and creating significant barriers to seeking care.
The study also found that married individuals demonstrated significantly lower levels of internalized stigma, suggesting marital status may act as a protective factor. In contrast, residing in an urban area was associated with lower self-stigma scores.
The results highlight that sociocultural norms in Saudi Arabia—such as expectations of emotional restraint and viewing psychological distress as a sign of weakness—contribute to this internalized stigma and discourage men from seeking help.
The authors emphasize the urgent need for gender-sensitive, culturally tailored interventions to address this dual burden of distress and self-stigma. Recommended strategies include:
- Stigma-reduction campaigns
- Mental health literacy initiatives
- Accessible, confidential community-based support systems
These interventions are essential for reducing internalized shame and fostering help-seeking behaviors among Saudi males.
Reference:
Jareebi M A, Alqassim AY, Otayf DA, et al. Common Mental Health Conditions and Self-Stigma Among Saudi Male Adults: Implications for Promotion and Intervention. Cureus 17(9): e93452. DOI 10.7759/cureus.93452. (Published 09/28/2025)
