June 25, 2021
News
World Health Organization defines mental health as the state of a person’s well-being on how they realize personal abilities, cope with the everyday stresses of life, and contribute to the surrounding community. While this is a common problem worldwide, mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are twice as high in an emergency and humanitarian setting and more common in women than men.
According to World Health Organization, among people who have experienced war and conflict, 1 out of 5 people will have depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety.
Access to health and clinical care is critically important for people with severe mental disorders during and after emergencies.
Read the interview with our Country Director, Mr. Muhammed Hammady, on how Caritas is helping reach mental health through providing life security in Iraq.
What does mental health mean for you? How do you personally take care of your mental health?
Mental Health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being; it significantly affects our feelings, thoughts, and behavior.
Good Mental Health is the key to handle stress at work, home, and in day-to-day life situations.
I try to keep a balance between work and social life. It is essential to give yourself space where you can be, to a certain extent, disconnected from your task list and focus on a hobby. In my case, I will be reading a book, traveling, and spending time with family.
How is the topic of mental health perceived in Iraq? Are there any taboos regarding mental health? How do people take care of their mental health? Is it normal to speak about it publicly?
Iraq has consistently been ranked high in depression, anxiety, and stress indexes.
Not surprisingly, the many years of armed conflicts had a significant impact on people’s well-being. Covid-19 Pandemic worsens the vulnerable situation, especially with the repeated lockdowns and effects on the local economy.
Nevertheless, access to specialized mental health services is not available for most of the population due to insufficient personnel and proper facilities. Furthermore, the majority of people might prefer to avoid speaking about mental health problems publicly.
How can the activities of Caritas help to strengthen the mental health of the beneficiaries?
The Caritas Czech Republic contributes to alleviating the roots of the problems when it comes to mental health.
In emergency interventions, Caritas focuses on improving the physical conditions of families dwelling/ shelters to improve the sense of safety, privacy, and dignity.
On the other hand, Caritas prioritizes durable solutions in return settings to help in restoring the local economy and create job opportunities. These activities have an impact on beneficiaries’ well-being through sustainable security livelihoods.
See the video below for our Country Director about mental health:
