Through the Eyes of Psychiatrists: Mental Health Services in Iraq– A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Iraq has considerable challenges in delivering mental health services. The country has been in years of conflict and war. These events have taken a severe toll on the mental health of its people. Aims: This study aimed to explore psychiatrists' views on public mental health services in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods: The design was qualitative. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with psychiatrists from June to July 2023. Participants were purposively recruited, and data collection continued to saturation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. This approach assisted in identifying recurring patterns and themes. Results: Ten psychiatrists took part. Six interconnected themes were identified: 1) High prevalence of mental illness. 2) Delay in seeking professional care. 3) Social media, family, and relatives as sources of information. 4) Persistent challenges facing services. 5) Interventions to reduce stigma. 6) Need for improved service quality. Participating psychiatrists perceived that government mental health care could be improved with more funding and a better supply of medications. Conclusion: Mental health services in Iraq are confronted by structural and socio-cultural perspectives of psychiatry. These include stigma, poor mental health literacy, and workforce constraints. This results in late diagnosis and inadequate care. The solutions are multi-faceted. This includes raising public awareness, expanding access to services, developing a strong workforce, and improving the accuracy and regulation of mental health information shared publicly.