A growing mental health crisis is taking hold in Dhi Qar province, as the region faces an alarming rise in suicide rates and drug addiction, particularly among the youth. Despite these escalating concerns, the province only has four psychiatrists available to serve nearly two million residents, raising serious questions about the adequacy of mental healthcare in southern Iraq.
According to medical professionals and local residents, the shortage of mental health specialists in Dhi Qar is exacerbating the region’s already dire situation. Abdul Hassan Niazi, head of the Dhi Qar Doctors’ Syndicate, told Kurdistan24, “Currently, we have only four psychiatric consultants and two clinical doctors, which is severely inadequate. The shortage stems from the lack of specialists in this field. Very few doctors opt for psychiatry, as many prefer more direct interaction with patients in other specialties.”
Despite efforts to address this gap, such as the establishment of a psychiatry board department, Niazi emphasized that these measures have not been sufficient to meet the growing demand for mental health services in the province.
Local residents are voicing their concerns over the dire shortage of psychiatric professionals and treatment centers. One resident urged authorities to prioritize mental health care, stating, “We appeal to the relevant authorities in Dhi Qar province to place greater emphasis on appointing psychiatrists and to establish more mental health treatment centers, as there is currently only one center available.” Another resident echoed these sentiments, calling on the Ministry of Health to dispatch additional psychiatrists, citing a significant rise in suicide and drug addiction cases.
The province’s healthcare infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for mental health services. Recent data shows that approximately 121 people seek mental health treatment in Dhi Qar each month. However, with only one specialized mental health facility in the entire province, the available resources are stretched thin.
The rise in psychological distress can be attributed to a combination of factors, including ongoing social and economic pressures, high rates of unemployment, and the lingering effects of conflict. These issues have contributed to a significant increase in mental health disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies.
While the Iraqi government has acknowledged the broader mental health crisis in the country, Dhi Qar remains one of the most underserved regions in terms of psychiatric care. Local medical professionals and residents are urging the Ministry of Health to take immediate action by sending additional psychiatrists and expanding the province’s mental health treatment facilities.
Mental health advocates warn that without swift intervention, the crisis will deepen, potentially leading to more suicides, worsening drug addiction, and further destabilizing the social fabric of Dhi Qar. With the demand for mental health professionals at an all-time high, the urgency for government action has never been more critical.
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