Perceptions and Attitudes of Mental Healthcare Providers Regarding Unconventional Causes and Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders in Saudi Arabia.

This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes of mental health providers (MHPs) in Saudi Arabia toward unconventional causes and treatments of psychiatric disorders, highlighting the persistence of stigma within this professional group. Conducted via a cross-sectional survey of 449 MHPs across governmental and private sectors, the study found that over half (51.7%) endorsed supernatural causes such as weak faith, magic, evil eye, and jinns, while many also believed in non-evidence-based treatments like cauterization (81.1%) and cupping therapy (74.2%). Psychiatrists and psychologists were less likely than other MHPs to hold supernatural beliefs. The findings underscore the need for targeted education and awareness programs to promote evidence-based understanding and reduce stigma among MHPs, which may improve mental healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in the Saudi context.