On the 12th Edition of Global Patient Week Bristol Myers Squibb and Saudi Schizophrenia Association 'Ehtiwaa' Collaborate to Support People Living with Schizophrenia Through the 'Small Wins' Initiative

 More than 70 personalized 'Small Wins' toolkits, assembled by Bristol Myers Squibb employees, were designed to encourage everyday engagement, self-recognition and emotional well-being among people living with schizophrenia in Saudi Arabia.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reinforcing its commitment to putting patients at the centre of everything it does, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, recently celebrated the 12th edition of its annual Global Patient Week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As part of this year's activities, BMS joined forces with the Saudi Schizophrenia Association ('Ehtiwaa') to support individuals living with schizophrenia through a practical, hands-on wellness initiative: the 'Small Wins: Everyday Activity & Motivation' toolkit, designed to boost daily engagement and self-esteem.

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health disorder that can affect the way individuals think, feel and interact with the world around them. These challenges can make activities and routines feel particularly daunting, which makes supportive tools and community initiatives an important part of holistic care and well-being.

A Simple Tool for Everyday Empowerment

The Small Wins kit offers patients an accessible framework to foster motivation, daily engagement, and self-worth at their own pace. By guiding patients through four simple steps: picking a card, trying the activity, recognizing the win, and adding it to their Small Wins jar, the initiative reinforces that every positive step, no matter how small, is a meaningful accomplishment.

Each kit includes a set of simple activity cards featuring positive and optional suggestions such as 'Listen to a song you enjoy,''Spend a few minutes outside,' or 'Tidy one small space'. To help patients track their progress, the kit also includes a 'Small Wins Jar' with paper slips where participants can record daily moments of joy, along with a handwritten note of support written by a BMS volunteer.

By encouraging positive self-recognition through simple daily activities, the kits are designed to complement broader psychosocial support approaches that promote daily engagement and personal well-being.

BMS Employees Bring Purpose to Life in Riyadh

As part of BMS's enduring culture of employee engagement and community impact, BMS team members in Riyadh participated in a dedicated hands-on volunteering activity to physically assemble and personalize over 70 Small Wins kits for patients in the Kingdom.

This interactive endeavor directly connected employees with the human side of healthcare, reinforcing the core purpose driving their daily work: keeping patients at the heart of everything they do.

Commenting on the initiative, Mayada Al Ahmad, General Manager Saudi Arabia, Bristol Myers Squibb KSA, said: "For 12 years, Global Patient Week has provided a meaningful opportunity for our teams to connect more closely with the patients and communities we serve. It reminds us that supporting patients extends beyond medicines. It means listening, understanding their needs and contributing to initiatives that can make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Through our collaboration with Ehtiwaa, our teams in Saudi Arabia were able to contribute directly to an initiative designed to encourage and support people living with schizophrenia in their daily journeys."

Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Dr. Manal Sawan, Executive Director at the Saudi Schizophrenia Association ('Ehtiwaa'), stated: "As the first and leading organization in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world dedicated to supporting people living with schizophrenia and empowering their families, our mission at Ehtiwaa is rooted in a strong commitment to breaking down societal stigma and redefining psychosocial support for this community.

The 'Small Wins' initiative holds particular significance as it goes beyond traditional forms of support to foster a culture of everyday self-appreciation, turning simple steps into positive milestones that help build confidence and support daily routines.

Our collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb demonstrates the value of meaningful partnerships between the non-profit and private sectors, bringing together efforts and resources to create tangible and sustainable impact, improve quality of life, and support the active inclusion of people living with schizophrenia in society."

Strengthening Connections with Patients and Communities

Global Patient Week is an established global initiative at Bristol Myers Squibb, giving employees the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the experiences of patients around the world. Through collaboration with patient advocacy groups and community organizations, the company seeks to deepen its understanding of patients' needs and reinforce its commitment to supporting people affected by serious diseases.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a leading global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Pursuing bold science to define what's possible for the future of medicine, BMS works every day to transform patients' lives in critical therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, cardiovascular disease, immunology, and neuroscience. For more information, please visit: www.bms.com 

About the Saudi Schizophrenia Association ('Ehtiwaa')

Established in 2010 and registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Saudi Schizophrenia Association ('Ehtiwaa') is a pioneer in mental health care. It is the first charitable organization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world dedicated exclusively to supporting individuals living with schizophrenia and their families, advancing awareness, psychosocial rehabilitation, and community integration. For more information, visit www.ssca.org.sa.

SOURCE Bristol Myers Squibb