Child and adolescent psychiatry training in the Arab Gulf region

Arab states of the Eastern Mediterranean Region share several cultural, social, and religious characteristics, and some similar health challenges and opportunities, despite different socioeconomic features. Over the past few years, the Arab Gulf countries have witnessed significant developments in the field of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Despite these developments, there is a shortage of trained mental health professionals able to respond to local needs, including child and adolescent psychiatrists. Therefore, local training programs have been developed in response to this need. This chapter will review progress in child and adolescent psychiatry training in all six Arab Gulf states that form that Gulf Cooperation Council: the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Development in CAMHS training in these countries will be further enhanced through collaborative approaches.