World Cup platform backs Saudi art program promoting mental health dialogue for youth

Saudi‑based psychologist Dr. Sahira Al Nahari launched Shifā Art, an organization that employs visual‑art workshops to foster dialogue about mental health across the Kingdom. In the early stages of the program, she observed that male participants frequently appeared reluctant to discuss personal emotions during the therapeutic sessions, a pattern she linked to broader cultural hesitancy surrounding male vulnerability.

Shifā Art’s curriculum combines guided artistic creation with structured conversation, aiming to lower barriers to emotional expression. To address the discomfort reported by men, the organization has introduced gender‑specific facilitation techniques, such as anonymous sharing tools and male‑led discussion groups, while collaborating with local health authorities to align its approach with national mental‑health initiatives. The adjustments are intended to create a more inclusive environment that encourages all participants, regardless of gender, to engage openly in the therapeutic process.