Mental health project empowers Iraqis to take back their lives

Decades of conflict, political instability and social upheaval have left many Iraqis vulnerable to psychological stress, mental health disorders and in need of mental health care, says Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in a new report launched in Baghdad today. MSF’s report, Healing Iraqis: The Challenges of Providing Mental Health Care in Iraq, records examples of the impact daily violence has had on many Iraqis –adults and children – and describes the development, together with the Ministry of Health, of a program to provide counselling care. There is an urgent need to scale up mental health care services in the country. MSF calls on the Iraqi Ministry of Health, and those who support them, to improve the quality and access to mental health services by integrating counselling into existing health facilities across Iraq. MSF also notes that more must be done to reduce the stigma of mental health to encourage people to come forward for counselling. Since 2009 MSF has been working in Iraq providing mental health counselling to men, women and children in conjunction with the Iraqi Ministry of Health. MSF’s programs focus on non-pharmaceutical approaches to address anxiety and depressive disorders commonly experienced by those exposed to violence and uncertainty. “Many Iraqis have been pushed to their absolute limit as decades of conflict and instability have wreaked devastation,” says Helen O’Neill, MSF’s head of mission in Iraq. “Mentally exhausted by the...
Source: MSF News - Category: Global & Universal Tags: Iraq Mental Health NEWS Frontpage Source Type: news