Iraq and mental health policy

Sharma, Sonali; Piachaud, Jack

doi:10.1097/wtf.0b013e32834d19d2

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…12 International agencies in collaboration with WHO and the Iraq Ministry of Health tried to rehabilitate mental hospitals and psychiatric units by directing funds into the fragmented mental health services; examples of these are the inauguration of a National Mental Health Council and the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy in 2004. 13,14 Although trained physicians and psychiatrists were present among the occupying military forces in Iraq, Iraqi patients did not have access to their medical facilities because they were reserved for treatment of the military. International experts cited social stigma, state corruption, cultural barriers, and the continuous acts of violence as the main obstacles in reconstructing Iraq's mental health system.…”

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…International experts cited social stigma, state corruption, cultural barriers, and the continuous acts of violence as the main obstacles in reconstructing Iraq's mental health system. 14 Among the addressed mental health issues was the use of unmodified ECT as an absolute improper treatment method, and therefore, it should be changed to fit the international standards. 14,15 The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued an appraisal on indications, equipment, risk-benefit assessment, general anesthesia availability, and informed consent in ECT practice.…”

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 Among the addressed mental health issues was the use of unmodified ECT as an absolute improper treatment method, and therefore, it should be changed to fit the international standards. 14,15 The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued an appraisal on indications, equipment, risk-benefit assessment, general anesthesia availability, and informed consent in ECT practice. Iraq's ECT policy was expected to follow suit with NICE international standards.…”

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…International agencies in collaboration with WHO and the Iraq Ministry of Health tried to rehabilitate mental hospitals and psychiatric units by directing funds into the fragmented mental health services; examples of these are the inauguration of a National Mental Health Council and the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy in 2004 13,14 …”

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Historical Highlights on Electroconvulsive Therapy Practice in Iraq

Younis

Arafat²

2022

J ECT

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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment option for severe psychiatric disorders. Electroconvulsive therapy practice began in Iraq in 1946, primarily to treat patients with schizophrenia. Since then, it has developed and expanded to treat mood disorders and major depression. Initially, both modified and unmodified ECTwas administered to patients in Ibn Rushd and Al Rashad mental hospitals in Baghdad. The ongoing political turmoil from 3 wars, economic sanctions, and internal conflicts halted the development of mental health services across the country; ECT provision was not an exception. The practice of unmodified ECTwithout general anesthesia-ceased in 2009, after the recommendations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Iraq Subcommittee. This closure reduced the availability and accessibility of ECT clinics nationwide because of limited access to general anesthesia. This article explores the nature of ECT services, in the context of Iraq's health care system, sociocultural norms, instability, and international codes of practice. This brief report uses the first author's work experience, few available data, and personal communication to describe the brief history of ECT practice in Iraq. This report is a baseline document for future ECT practice regulation in Iraq.

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Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ect Practice After 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Historical Highlights on Electroconvulsive Therapy Practice in Iraq

Younis

Arafat²

2022

J ECT

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“…In Iraq, the pattern of mental disorders is escalating in prevalence and severity due to the issues of war-related traumas and displacement, refugees, and the on-going acts of violence by militants, resulting in increased cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PSTD), depression, anxiety. (Sharma & Piachaud, 2011) Mental health professional in Iraq are facing the challenge of mitigating the drawback of social stigma where many patients refrain from psychiatric consultation and seek the help of faith or traditional healers; clergymen, sorcerers, or sometimes wizards first or discontinue treatment and follow-up, thus more cases of psychosis, Bi-polar and drug abuse are presented to the psychiatric clinic with severe and complicated conditions because of the stigma. This stigmatised attitude expanded to include the psychiatrists, where many perceive them as (doctors of mads) and the psychiatric medication (brain-damaging drugs), resulting in a tedious effect on the psychiatrists and quality of provided psychiatric services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stigmatising attitude and reflections towards mental illness at community setting, population-based approach, Baghdad City 2020

Younis

Anwer

Hussain

2020

Int J Soc Psychiatry

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Background: Addressing the social stigma of mental illness is of importance in Iraq where mentally ill patients experience the compounded disadvantages of inadequate health services and illness stigma. Aims: To study the prevalence and magnitude of the social stigma towards mental illnesses. Method: A cross-sectional study has been carried out on 300 male and female participants at shopping malls and public cafes in Baghdad, Iraq. A self-administered questionnaire made data collection. Descriptive, and analytic statics procedure was operated as far as a convenience by using Excel 365 version as a data management tool. Results: About (80%) of the respondents revealed a moderate degree of stigmatising attitude towards mental illness with a Likert scale total equivalent score range of (2.34–3.669). About (20%) of respondents showed a low degree of stigmatising attitude towards mental illness, with a Likert scale total equivalent score range of (1–2.339). P-value was highly significant (=0.011798) <0.05 among gender variables while it is not significant among age, income, education, and positive family of mental illnesses. 83% of the respondents prefer the medical management of mental illnesses. Conclusions: There were no clear roles of socio-demographic factors in the stigmatic attitude towards mental illnesses. This finding warrants a more in-depth look into the Iraqi community’s cultural, social, and moral contexts.

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