Over the years, psychiatric services in the Arab world have always been relatively underdeveloped in comparison with other medical specialities. This has remarkably changed over the last few years with the emergence of new generations of psychiatrists who trained in Arab counties as well as some developed countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

In many parts of the Arab world, cultural beliefs of possessions and the impact of the evil eye affect interpretation of psychiatric symptoms.

Forensic psychiatry in the Arab world is still facing several challenges in many countries. These challenges usually stem around the political, economic and social influences.

Forensic mental health units are – if exist- parts of the general psychiatric wards, some hospitals will allocate few beds for mentally unwell offenders.

There is no forensic mental health legislation in most Arab countries and it seems to consider setting up a legislation for this group of population.

The aim of this workshop will be to:

1. 1. Share experts’ knowledge and experiences on the current and anticipated future of forensic mental health services.

2. 2. Identify research priorities for tackling emerging issues in this field.

3. 3. Enhance networking among experts and promote engagement between the scientific and regulatory communities.

4. 4. Find ways to empower the clients and make them contribute towards their management plan with the eventual goal of rehabilitation into the community.

The poster will comprise of several presentations led by psychiatrists from different Arab countries (Iraq, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia).