Social stigma adds to challenges
Ramadi grapples with limited mental health services
RAMADI — Residents in Ramadi are facing a critical shortage of mental health services and facilities as the city reportedly lacks dedicated psychiatric hospitals and has just a handful of practitioners.
This scarcity has led some residents to seek help from spiritual healers, highlighting the absence of readily available professional care in Anbar’s capital city.
“There are no psychiatric hospitals in Anbar, and there’s a severe shortage of mental health professionals,” said Ramadi resident Mohammad Naji.
Naji urged the Ministry of Health to establish specialized hospitals, potentially increasing access to care and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
While the Anbar Health Directorate claims 53 health centers across nine sectors offer mental health services, community stigma and a lack of specialized facilities remain significant barriers.
“There are no dedicated psychiatric hospitals in Anbar, only drug addiction clinics,” said Dr. Ahmad Yassin Khidr, a neurologist and psychiatrist, highlighting the limited treatment options. “While some services exist, they are insufficient.”
Dr. Khidr noted that patients sometimes require transfer to Baghdad for proper care.
The shortage of mental health professionals stems from a low number of graduates specializing in the field. However, a growing interest in mental health suggests potential improvement with an influx of future specialists.