2023-11-17 14:39:38
Iraqis in desperate need of mental health support
By: [Author’s Name]
Raghad Qasim, a 34-year-old women’s rights activist, struggled to find a psychotherapist in Baghdad and turned to online consultations after reaching a dead end. Her experience highlights the alarming scarcity of mental health services available in Iraq, a country plagued by ongoing conflict and trauma.
Iraq, with a population of 43 million people, has a mere “two mental health workers per 100,000 people,” far below the global average, according to the World Health Organization. This lack of resources, combined with persistent societal stigma, has resulted in mental health being a neglected issue in Iraq.
For Raghad, the realization of the importance of mental health came in her thirties, particularly during the lockdown period associated with the Covid epidemic. She recognized the symptoms of depression but was unable to find a doctor in Baghdad that she felt comfortable speaking with in person. Raghad’s experiences underscore a common sentiment among Iraqis seeking mental health support.
Decades of conflict, including violations committed by ISIS in recent years, have left profound trauma and psychological illness, yet the response and capabilities in the mental health field remain underwhelming. The Al-Rashad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, for example, struggles with a scarcity of specialist doctors, with only 11 psychiatrists for 1,425 patients.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress. Firas Al-Kazemi, the hospital director, notes a recent increase in the number of visitors in counseling clinics. The stigma surrounding mental health is slowly eroding in Iraqi society, making psychiatric treatment more acceptable.
At the Médecins Sans Frontières center in Baghdad, psychiatrist Zainab Abdel Razzaq has witnessed a decline in the stigma of psychiatry. Patients, like 30-year-old Zainab Abdel Wahab, are increasingly open to psychological treatment, despite initial lack of awareness about it.
Wahab’s experience exemplifies the transformative impact of psychological treatment, as she notes a radical change in her psychology following therapy. Her story is a powerful testament to the urgent need for mental health resources in Iraq and the profound impact they can have on individuals.
As Iraq struggles to address the mental health needs of its population, there is growing awareness of the importance of psychological treatment. Societal perceptions are evolving, and with continued support and investment, mental health support in Iraq could be vastly improved.]
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