Despite the negative effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has affected the world and caused huge damage to the psychological states of individuals and communities, Umm Al-Qura University has channeled its lauded efforts to enhance the psychological states of its students, employees, and members of the Saudi community. This is due to the implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, as it has become necessary to adapt to protective home quarantine and the sudden shift in public lifestyle, and also change to distance education and work-at-home options.

The science of psychology has played an important role in facing the crisis and containing the repercussions of the urgent changes in the Saudi community and the whole world, at all levels. This has been achieved by harnessing technology and digital transformation to facilitate the use of psychological services and the provision of the necessary consultation to the beneficiaries.

Distance Psychological Consultation

The university has dedicated a center to receive psychological consultation requests, through multiple communication channels, which are addressed by highly qualified consultants and counseling psychologists. The center provided consultation services to 4,800 students regarding 7 topics revolving around self-esteem, the concept of anxiety and its symptoms, exam anxiety and methods of coping with it, positive and negative thinking, fostering mental health, and strategies to overcome negative thinking, in addition to advice and guidance on coronavirus during the home quarantine period.

Psychological Containment

The university authorities have contributed to the promotion of mental health in the various fields, serving the individuals and broader community and achieving psychological stability in light of the repercussions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More than 5 thousand beneficiaries have been registered. These contributions included the mental health and crisis management course held by the Department of Psychology. Moreover, the Institute of Consulting Research and Studies organized a specialized course in psychological first aid, and the Deanship of Student Affairs held a course on remote work management and psychological stress.

Leadership in Awareness-Raising

The university also seeks to activate its societal role to achieve local leadership in the promotion of educational and psychological awareness by providing the best consultation, preventive, development and remedial services to individuals and society with high quality and professionalism, via the participation of academics specialized in psychological consultation. These efforts come within the initiative, "Our Goal Is to Support You to Increase Your Awareness", which was remotely launched by the Department of Psychology at the College of Education to address the repercussions of coronavirus and home quarantine. The initiative involves a variety of programs, including private guidance sessions, periodic educational releases targeting individuals and the broader community, as well as the posting of scientific content on Twitter to support the community, health practitioners, and security personnel.

Research Contributions

The researchers of Umm Al-Qura have taken the lead in submitting a number of research proposals to study the coronavirus, participating in the Research and Development Grants Program for National Research Institutions and Centers (GRANTS) funded by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. The contributions included an award-winning research proposal by Dr. Fahd Al-Shihri on the study of the extent of posttraumatic stress disorder in the highly Covid-19 affected areas in Saudi Arabia.