Table 1 Comparison of mental health services in Iraq prior to 2003 versus 2011
Mental health service level | Prior to 2003 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|
Long-stay facilities and specialist services | Two institutional-style mental hospitals in Baghdad. | Baghdad mental hospitals still exist; undergoing reform. |
Psychiatric services in general hospitals | Outpatient services only, and limited to large hospitals in the centres of the governorates. | 25 new mental health units, offering mix of inpatient and outpatient services. |
New inpatient beds for children and adolescents in paediatric hospital. | ||
Community mental health services | Public outpatient services in major general and university hospitals. | 34 new outpatient-only units, including: |
Private clinics in main cities for those who could afford them. | • 4 for children and adolescents; | |
• 1 for maternal mental health; | ||
• 1 for geriatric mental health; | ||
• 8 for trauma counselling; | ||
• 1 for substance abuse rehabilitation and treatment. | ||
Primary care services for mental health | Minimal. | Integration of mental services within primary health care started throughout Iraq. |