Work

School-based mental health support for students with intellectual disability in the Middle East and North Africa: a 26-year scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Students with intellectual disability (ID) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face significant mental health challenges, yet the extent and nature of school-based support for them remain unclear. This scoping review mapped the English-language evidence on school-based mental health support for this population. Six sources were searched for studies published between January 2000 and May 2026. The initial search identified 255 records, of which 210 were screened, and an update search identified one further study. Six studies were included; two met all eligibility criteria and four met them in part. One study evaluated an intervention, Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy, and reported improved self-esteem; it was delivered in residential welfare centers rather than schools. One study reported a strong association between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among students with mild ID. Four studies surveyed 1,037 practitioners in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, three of them in mixed disability populations. Practitioners reported moderate and uneven preparedness in behavioral assessment, social skills training, trauma-informed practice, and mental health support, and self-efficacy and perceived school support were associated with teachers' attitudes toward supporting student mental health. No school-delivered intervention was identified, and no included study reported follow-up or a family component. Overall, the English-language evidence identified by this review is small, heterogeneous, and geographically concentrated, and few students with ID took part directly. The findings point to a need for culturally adapted school-based interventions, stronger mental health content in teacher preparation, and explicit inclusion of students with ID in regional education and mental health frameworks. Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HJQMR.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1896262

Author: Majed Alshehri

Institution: Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Language: English

Topic: Down syndrome and intellectual disability research

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801