Several challenges exist in carrying out nation-wide epidemiological surveys in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) due to the unique characteristics of its population. The objectives of this report are to review these challenges and the lessons learnt about best practices in meeting these challenges from the extensive piloting of the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS), which is being carried out as part of the World Mental Health Survey (WMH) Initiative. We focus on challenges involving sample design, instrumentation, and data collection procedures. The SNMHS will ultimately provide crucial data for health policy makers and mental health specialists in KSA.

Objectives To estimate 12‐month prevalence and severity of mental disorders in the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS). Methods The SNMHS is a face‐to‐face community epidemiological survey in a nationally representative household sample of citizens aged 15 to 65 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (n = 4,004). The World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to estimate 12‐month prevalence of common DSM‐IV mental disorders. Results Twelve‐month prevalence of any DSM‐IV/CIDI disorder is 20.2%. Most common are anxiety disorders (12.3%) followed by mood (6.8%), disruptive behavior (5.4%), eating (3.2%), and substance use (1.9%) disorders. The proportion of 12‐month cases rated serious (39.0% of all cases) is high across virtually all disorders relative to the proportions found in CIDI surveys in other high‐income countries. Younger people have significantly elevated odds of mood and disruptive behavior disorders and serious disorders. Women have significantly elevated odds of anxiety and mood disorders and serious disorders. Previously married people have significantly elevated odds of most disorder classes and serious disorders. Conclusions Both 12‐month prevalence and severity of DSM‐IV/CIDI disorders are high in Saudi Arabia compared to other high‐income countries that carried out comparable surveys.