Additionally, Arabs tend to hold negative attitudes towards formal psychiatric services and have less knowledge regarding the existence of these services and the role of its providers (Al-Qutob 2005). One study (Gilat et al. 2010) revealed that when a member Arab family shows symptoms of mental illness,Arabs usually turn first to family practitioners (33%), followed by family members (21.6%), and then the Sheikh (19%). Only 11% turn to mental health practitioners. It
takes months and even years for some families before they finally accept that the person with mental illness needs
professional psychiatric care. The decision to seek mental health care usually occurs when the symptoms are severe
and can be recognized by others.