Alrashed, S., Bath, P.A. orcid.org/0000-0002-6310-7396 and Koya, K. (2025) Challenges for people with depression in using online mental health communities (OMHCs) in Saudi Arabia. In: Andrikopoulou, E., Gallos, P., Arvanitis, T.N., Austin, R., Benis, A., Cornet, R., Chatzistergos, P., Dejaco, A., Dusseljee-Peute, L., Mohasseb, A., Natsiavas, P., Nakkas, H. and Scott, P., (eds.) Intelligent Health Systems – From Technology to Data and Knowledge: Proceedings of MIE 2025. Medical Informatics Europe 2025: Intelligent health systems – From technology to data and knowledge, 19-21 May 2025, Glasgow, Scotland. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 327 . IOS Press , pp. 1413-1417. ISBN 9781643685960
Abstract
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health illnesses and a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia. Due to misconceptions about mental health diseases, such as depression, in Saudi Arabia, there is widespread stigma. Many people with depression, therefore, seek health information via social media such as blogs, microblogs, and online communities. Online mental health communities (OMHCs) have been developed only recently in the country. This study explores the challenges people experience when engaging in OMHCs. A sample of 1,422 posts was generated from two OMHCs and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Three main themes were identified: misinformation, triggering vulnerability, and judgment. Findings from this study will be shared with the OMHCs and will help administrators to develop strategies and policies to enhance the experience of people with depression in using OMHCs.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Editors: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2025 The Authors. This article is published online with Open Access by IOS Press and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
Keywords: | Online mental health community; depression; Saudi Arabia; challenges |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 27 May 2025 14:12 |
Last Modified: | 28 May 2025 11:18 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IOS Press |
Series Name: | Studies in Health Technology and Informatics |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3233/SHTI250635 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:227110 |
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