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Community Jameel Saudi Foundation announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Mental Health Promotion through the Jameel Arts & Health Lab to harness the power of the arts to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Formalising the partnership between the three organisations, the MoU marks a key step towards embedding evidence-based arts strategies into mainstream mental health services in the Kingdom, directly supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s Health Sector Transformation and Quality of Life programmes, which aim to improve health outcomes for the Saudi population.

Under the MoU, the partners will regularly organise mental health, culture and arts educational training courses for healthcare providers with the goal of improving quality of life for individuals, and enhancing awareness of the role of the arts in enhancing healthcare.

In December 2025, the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, in partnership with New York University (NYU), one of the founding partners of the lab, delivered ‘Introduction to Arts and Health’, the first arts-in-health training in Saudi Arabia, at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah that brought together 40 participants, including local and international stakeholders within the mental healthcare sector. The course helped participants explore new prospects of utilising the arts in healthcare to serve children, the elderly and healthcare staff within a Saudi context.

Stephen Stapleton, co-director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, said: “This MoU signifies a deep commitment to systemic change. By partnering with the NCMHP and Community Jameel Saudi Foundation, we are ensuring that evidence-based and culturally responsive skills are embedded directly within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector, strengthening health systems and community resilience at scale.”

Dr May Taibah, member of the board of trustees at Community Jameel Saudi Foundation’s Board of Trustees member, said: “Collaboration and partnerships are a core component of our values, and we believe in their power to achieve our mutual goals. This agreement and the resulting initiatives will complement our ongoing programmes in the community wellbeing pillar, where we invest in utilising innovative tools and models of care to support the Saudi community.”

Dr AbdulHameed Alhabeeb, general manager at the National Centre for Mental Health Promotion: “NCMHP’s participation in this collaboration stems from our mandate in promoting mental health in Saudi Arabia. We strive to localise successful international evidence-based practices in mental healthcare. Moreover, we highly value the role of independent initiatives that align with our goals from the non-profit sector, and look forward to activating the role of arts and culture in improving mental health in the Kingdom.”

This partnership builds upon the momentum established during the Healing Arts Arabia Roundtable in 2023, hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Health, the outcomes of which laid the foundation for today’s collaboration.

The Jameel Arts & Health Lab was launched in 2023 by the World Health Organization, NYU Steinhardt, Community Jameel, an international organisation advancing science and learning for communities to thrive founded by Mohammed Jameel KBE, and CULTURUNNERS, and continues its mission to drive the integration of arts into healthcare globally.

In October 2025, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab unveiled a photo essay, the first part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab-Lancet global series on the health benefits of the arts, at the Global Health Forum and Exhibition in Riyadh.

About Community Jameel Saudi

In 1945, the late Sheikh Abdul Latif Jameel laid the foundation for a longstanding commitment to giving back to society, by spearheading philanthropic initiatives and launching social welfare programs. Decades of dedication to philanthropy culminated in the establishment of the Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs in 2003, which was later restructured in 2010 as the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation to lead societal and developmental initiatives that support socio-economic progress.

The Foundation is dedicated to empowering Saudi communities through key strategic areas of development, including providing income and employment opportunities, empowering women, empowering entrepreneurs, supporting scientists and technological advancement, preserving the environment, and charitable and health initiatives.

About The National Centre for Mental Health Promotion (NCMHP)

The National Centre for Mental Health Promotion is a Saudi national center established by the esteemed Council of Ministers Resolution No. 685 dated 27/11/1440H. The Center aims to enhance mental wellbeing and psychological wellness within the community through the design and development of preventive programs, early detection initiatives, support for the most vulnerable groups, and the empowerment of national expertise in relevant studies and reports. It also guides society in supporting mental health causes and contributes to the development of partnerships and investments, as well as the improvement of the regulatory and information environment for mental wellbeing and wellness initiatives, in line with improving quality of life and achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

About the Jameel Arts & Health Lab

Launched in January 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, the Steinhardt School at New York University, Community Jameel, and CULTURUNNERS, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab is a global initiative to measurably improve health and wellbeing through the arts. With a focus on overlooked and underserved communities, the Lab leverages scientific evidence, artist-led advocacy, capacity building, and a global Healing Arts outreach campaign to drive the integration of the arts into mainstream healthcare.