Jumaah, Z., Al-Jumaili, A., Shubbar, H., Jamal, M., Al-Kubaissi, K. (2026). Through the Eyes of Psychiatrists: Mental Health Services in Iraq– A Qualitative Study. , (), 167-175. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2026.173933.1284
Zaid Sabti Jumaah; Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili; Hasan Ali Shubbar; Mohammed Yawuz Jamal; Khalid Awad Al-Kubaissi. "Through the Eyes of Psychiatrists: Mental Health Services in Iraq– A Qualitative Study". , , , 2026, 167-175. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2026.173933.1284
Jumaah, Z., Al-Jumaili, A., Shubbar, H., Jamal, M., Al-Kubaissi, K. (2026). 'Through the Eyes of Psychiatrists: Mental Health Services in Iraq– A Qualitative Study', , (), pp. 167-175. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2026.173933.1284
Jumaah, Z., Al-Jumaili, A., Shubbar, H., Jamal, M., Al-Kubaissi, K. Through the Eyes of Psychiatrists: Mental Health Services in Iraq– A Qualitative Study. , 2026; (): 167-175. doi: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2026.173933.1284

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

Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 September 2026    PDF (596.57 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.33899/iraqij.p.2026.173933.1284
Authors
Zaid Sabti Jumaah1; Ali Azeez Al-Jumaili2, 3, 4; Hasan Ali Shubbar* 5; Mohammed Yawuz Jamal4; Khalid Awad Al-Kubaissi6
1Al-Rusafa Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq
2Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, California, USA
3College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
5Thi-Qar Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Thi-Qar, Iraq
6Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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.
Keywords
Government hospitals; Iraq; Mental health care services; Mental illness; Psychiatric care
Supplementary Files
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