King Abdulaziz University (KAU) hosted the 12th National Meeting of the Committees for Promoting Mental Health in Saudi Universities, organized by the National Center for Mental Health Promotion, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the University’s main administrative building. The event brought together leading academics, counselors, and specialists in student mental health services from across the Kingdom.

In his opening address, Dr. Tareef bin Youssef Alaama, President of King Abdulaziz University, welcomed participants and praised the ongoing efforts of mental health committees in Saudi universities. He emphasized the University’s commitment to supporting mental well-being as a foundation for student success. The session began with an overview of the University’s contributions to mental health promotion, presented by Dr. Sulhi Alfakeh.

Dr. Abdulhamid bin Abdullah Al Habib, Director General of the National Center for Mental Health Promotion, stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between universities to enhance mental health support systems for students and staff alike.

Sharing Experiences and Proposals for Systemic Improvement

The meeting’s first session featured a number of standout presentations and institutional experiences. Dr. Basmah Helmi presented the annual report summarizing the activities of university mental health committees. Dr. Najla Aljassas, from Shaqra University, proposed a new framework for linking psychological counseling services across institutions, aimed at improving service integration and access.

From the Islamic University, Prof. Maher Khujah shared a presentation on promoting mental health in multicultural academic environments, reflecting the diversity of university communities. Dr. Haneen Al-Ahmadi from the University of Jeddah outlined a strategic model for psychological counseling aligned with institutional development goals. In addition, Dr. Raafat Shuqdar from Taibah University presented key findings from a recent study measuring student awareness of mental health issues, offering insights into current challenges and opportunities.

King Abdulaziz University contributed a proposal to establish Student Care Units within each faculty, presented by Dr. Sulhi Alfakeh. These units aim to provide proactive, accessible, and localized support for student well-being. Also discussed was the role of self-guided counseling tools, with Dr. Rahma Al-Ghamdi from Najran University presenting an approach to empower students to take an active role in managing their mental health.

Dialogue, Development, and a Shared Vision for the Future

The second session of the meeting focused on building on existing initiatives and exchanging ideas around practical implementation and long-term sustainability. Participants engaged in constructive discussions around frameworks for program evaluation, performance metrics, and ways to align institutional policies with national mental health goals.

The meeting concluded in an atmosphere of collaboration and optimism, with participants reaffirming a shared commitment to creating more supportive, inclusive, and mentally healthy university environments. The outcomes of the meeting will help shape the next phase of mental health strategies in higher education, reinforcing the role of universities as active contributors to student well-being and national development.