How Oman is Contributing in Mental Health
Muscat, October 10, 2025 – As the world marks World Mental Health Day under the global theme “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,” Oman joins the conversation not just with solidarity, but with tangible contributions and growing momentum in the mental health space. From policy changes to digital innovation, community outreach, and capacity-building, Oman’s mental health response is increasingly broad, inclusive, and evidence-based.
🌍 Why It Matters
Mental health issues affect one in every eight people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In Oman, local studies estimate that 16–17% of youth show symptoms of clinical depression, and up to 28% of healthcare professionals report mild to moderate levels of depressive symptoms. Against this backdrop, Oman’s response to mental health challenges is becoming more urgent, coordinated, and multifaceted.
Key Contributions by Oman in Mental Health
🏥 1. National Mental Health Infrastructure
- Al Masarra Hospital in Muscat remains the country’s primary psychiatric institution, offering specialized care across areas such as general psychiatry, addiction treatment, child and adolescent services, forensic psychiatry, and geriatrics.
- Tertiary facilities are now complemented by regional outpatient services, and the Muscat Taafi Centre for Rehabilitation (opened in 2024) provides comprehensive addiction recovery programs in partnership with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and Al Jisr Foundation.
🧑⚕️ 2. Training First Responders in Mental Health
- Oman’s Mental Health First Aid Program, launched in early 2024, has trained hundreds of healthcare workers, counsellors, and educators to detect early signs of mental distress, offer basic psychological support, and refer individuals to professional services.
- This year, training has expanded to include school social workers, youth leaders, and community volunteers, ensuring early intervention begins at grassroots levels.
📞 3. Remote & Digital Mental Health Services
- Oman has embraced tele-mental health, especially in rural areas. Hotlines, mobile apps like Tataman and Nafas, and WhatsApp-based consultation channels have made it easier for people to access psychological support privately and affordably.
- During COVID-19, these digital tools were rapidly deployed. Today, they remain in use and are being improved with AI-driven triage tools and user-friendly Arabic content.
🎨 4. Raising Awareness Through Art & Culture
- Oman has focused on combating stigma through public dialogue and artistic engagement. Initiatives like “Freud Got Talent” invite citizens to express their mental health journeys through music, poetry, painting, and storytelling.
- Campaigns like “Not Alone” have reached thousands with messages of hope and mental health literacy through television, social media, and school outreach.
🧑🏫 5. School-Based & Youth-Focused Interventions
- In collaboration with UNICEF, Oman trained over 60 school counsellors and social workers in remote counselling for children and adolescents.
- The Ministry of Education, with private sector partners like OOMCO, has honored student mental health champions and hosted national forums for school wellbeing.
💼 6. Mental Health in the Workplace
- With rising concerns about burnout and psychological safety, many government entities and companies—including Opaz and bp Oman—have launched employee wellness programs, offering stress management workshops, meditation sessions, and resilience training.
- Oman’s first Workplace Mental Health Forum in 2025 discussed policies to ensure psychologically safe environments for public and private sector employees.
🔍 Challenges That Remain
Despite major progress, Oman still faces some key challenges:
- Workforce shortages: With fewer than 100 practicing psychiatrists and psychologists nationally, demand still outpaces capacity.
- Rural access gaps: Mental health services remain concentrated in Muscat and major cities, while remote areas face longer wait times and limited availability.
- Stigma and cultural hesitation: Although improving, mental illness is still underreported due to shame, misunderstanding, or fear of judgment.
📈 The Road Ahead
Experts suggest the next phase of Oman’s mental health strategy should focus on:
- Integrating mental health into primary care.
- Expanding services for children, adolescents, and the elderly.
- Developing Arabic-language digital therapy tools and mental wellness platforms.
- Investing in research and data collection to shape policies based on real needs.
💚 A Nation Moving Forward
On World Mental Health Day 2025, Oman stands as a country that’s listening, learning, and acting. Its efforts are not yet complete—but the foundation is strong, and the direction is clear.
As the global conversation continues to emphasize that mental health is a human right, Oman’s growing network of services, voices, and innovation is helping to make that right a reality for more people every day.
