Morocco needs more mental health professionals
2007-02-25
A new mental health strategy in Morocco aims to integrate mental health care into medical practice. But the country is suffering from a shortage of psychiatrists and trained professionals.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat -- 25/02/07
 [Sarah Touahri] Moroccan Minister of Health Mohamed Cheikh Biadilah (centre) attends the launch of the new mental health strategy. |
A new mental health strategy in Morocco faces a shortage of mental care professionals for its implementation. The strategy, launched on February 22nd, aims to integrate mental health care into everyday medical practice. It also ends the practice of putting the homeless and drug addicts in asylums.
Jalal Toufik, the head of Morocco’s largest psychiatric hospital, Arrazi, believes the new vision will enable the government to implement a comprehensive, fully integrated and efficient mental health system which will cover promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, care and social re-integration. But this, he says, will require the availability of enough specialist staff committed to the plan and are aware of its importance.
Morocco has a total of 300 practising psychiatrists, or one per 100,000 inhabitants. In 1970, there were just two throughout the whole country. "At the moment, even with a population ignorant of mental illness which tends to resort to traditional methods, we’re still having difficulty meeting demand. Imagine if the entire population suddenly found out about our services -- it would be a disaster. There is very little provision here, much less than in neighbouring Algeria or Tunisia," Toufik told Magharebia. He said that a country such as Morocco needs more trained professionals such as psychiatrists, child psychiatrists, psychologists, child psychologists and social workers.
A few psychiatric units have already opened this year in regional hospitals in Laayoune, Essaouira, Taza and Casablanca. A child psychiatry program is currently under way in Rabat.
A 2003 national mental health survey shows that mental illness is not limited to any one specific sector or category of the population. It affects rich and poor alike, in both cities and rural areas. However, the incidence of mental illness seems to be greatest in younger people with little or no education and no job.
In the survey, carried out by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organisation, 48.9% of those surveyed showed at least one symptom of poor mental health -- ranging from simple nervous ticks to more serious symptoms indicating more severe anxiety or depression. Psychosis was experienced by 5.6% at some point during their lifetime. Drug use is now affecting people at increasingly early ages and a clear transition is emerging from the use of hard drugs -- mainly cannabis and psychotropic drugs -- to alcohol abuse and the use of hard injecting drugs, particularly heroin and cocaine. This is happening mainly in large cities.
During the opening session of a national conference on the launch of the new mental health strategy, Health Minister Mohamed Cheikh Biadilah said that the survey results fall within the normal international range, especially when compared to those of certain western countries such as France and the United States. "However, they are not comparable with those of countries similar to our own for the simple reason that no such research has been carried out either in North or sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of a few studies in certain cities: Algiers in Algeria, Nouakchott in Mauritania and Antananarivo in Madagascar," he stressed.
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foux Posted 2007-02-26
Morocco turned out to be a mad country thanks to this "good thinking" policy, whose only goal is to destroy the country. What can be expected from a country ruled by its own enemies?
BEN Posted 2007-02-26
Mental health recognition is an increasing national plague. Many families have hard times with a mental sick child and become hostages due to a lack of adequate institutions. Only an international committee could describe the hidden side of this phenomenon and launch some research where necessary. There is a lot to say about all this, but i think the first thing is to cry for help in face of an ever-degrading situation.
martine du Colombier Posted 2007-02-26
Do you know if French psychiatrics can work in Morocco, in the public or private sector, in particular for foreign tourists?
فاعل خير Posted 2007-02-27
Morocco needs its people!
Soumaya Posted 2007-03-06
This article is to the point. For example, there is no training in <<psychology>> in Morocco. There is, to my knowledge, only one private school that teaches psychology in the whole morocco. So if we want more psychologists, university or school training in that area should be put in place...Also, research facilities must be put in place to investigate how we can better help people with psychological disorders.These are the first steps towards a solution to the problem.
Beverly Cobain, RN Posted 2007-03-07
A well-written article about a problem experienced in most countries, but central to yours. Education is key to helping therapists and even school teachers identify and help children in mental pain and anguish.
NADA Posted 2007-03-20
We're badly in need of mental health professionals
YOUSSEF Posted 2007-04-26
To Soumaya: there is a private school in Morocco offering a program in psychology, and there is also a university program to educate clinical psychologists in Rabat. To Foux: if you want to see madness everywhere, you will definitely see it there. You should read Foucault, my friend, before you launch into your diatribes. To the others: what we need to improve mental health is for it to become a national priority, and for this to happen we need governmental lobbying. But, no one wants to promote mental health because it isn’t good business. (“Hide this crazy from me; I don’t want to be seen with him!”) It’s necessary. Everyone says it’s necessary. But no one does anything. There you go: the drama. And, this in itself is the essence of the madness: to want something and to do nothing to get it. Good luck to everyone!
la psy du future Posted 2007-05-07
Hi everyone. I am a girl who would like to be a psychologist (even if I am too young at the age of 16 to get into a psychology school.) In regards to this subject, “a strategy for mental health,” I have a different opinion which shows that Morocco does have potential psychiatrists. Even if they are too young to study psychology, there are students at my high school who want to study it. But society doesn’t help or encourage them. Therefore, why not make a tour of high schools and colleges in order to help students better understand psychology, to give the true sense of the meaning of psychology to society, and, in the end, help students matriculate in psychology school. -Good bye.
zohra Posted 2007-09-04
This is why our dear Health Minister planned on recruiting nine nurses specialising in psychiatry for the entire nation. This is ridiculous. I think this stupid minister needs to look again.
Mahatma Posted 2007-11-13
What are we speaking about here: psychiatry, psychology or psychotherapy? There are psychoanalysts and psychotherapists in Morocco, but only for the people who have the means to pay for them and live in big cities. Those who are sick and whose sickness results in some sort of mental distress and who are also poor truly have no chance. Furthermore, we are living in a society where being introspective is something you always save for tomorrow.
lamiaa Posted 2007-11-19
I am responding to the future mental health professionals: It is good to have goals, but at the age of 16 there is the tendency to dream. I am not saying that you are not up to the job you are dreaming of… no, it would be bad to judge you. Rather, I am just saying that you should not ask to much of the government when we are lacking in almost all domains. It would be in light of the collective good if we occupied ourselves first and foremost with people who do not suffer from mental problems. We do not lack the will, it is just that we need to do what we plan on doing, not just plan on it. But here I am falling into my own trap and I have said enough. I would like to work in mental health as well. I am 17 years old and I was sent packing to the streets. I always tell myself that I need to be a psychiatrist because there are people who really need them and they need them as soon as possible. We need a change of mentality. We need a revolution. We need to dare to say “yes” or “no.” We need to live! There you have it for me.
hicham Posted 2007-12-06
Hi- My father suffers from a mental illness. I would like it if you would please send me the addresses of the public and private psychiatric hospitals in Morocco. -Thank you
belaid oulachgar Posted 2008-01-03
I'm a Moroccan man, I've been working for 20 years in nursing, in the treatment of addiction. I have an experience in a hospital in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the treatment of addiction with a developed and successful method with world advisors in addiction, the experience is successful with the will of God. I wish to work in Morocco my beloved country because I'm an expert in psychological treatment namely addiction. May God assist us in treating patients. Salam.
Mimine Posted 2008-02-03
Hello, In a few month I will finish my psychology courses in France with the title of Clinical Psychologist. I would like to know if the “government’s new mental health strategy” will bring new job openings for psychologists. Having this information will permit me to better orient my professional plans. Would it be worth it to return to Morocco immediately after getting my degree?
nada Posted 2008-03-04
I am a high school graduate and I am really interested in this field, but I have not found a single school in Morocco that is responsible for educating psychologists. There is one private school in Casablanca, but I wanted to know if it is worth it. My parents think it is a bad idea and that there is a lot of risk involved. But, I must confess that I am still thinking about it. So, can you please give me some advice? I need to know what type of activities I would undertake after getting the degree and if there is another way to get the degree apart from this school. Also, I would like to know: what is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? Thank you in advance
faouzi nassefi Posted 2008-03-22
i am a tunisian working in kingdom of saudia departement addiction i am ready to help persones who seek for treatment
المجهول Posted 2008-04-05
For those who want to specialize in psychological medicine, they should know that the sector is not very profitable.
tarakpsycho Posted 2008-04-06
Salam alikoum. Psychology in the Arab Maghreb is still stuck in past and hasn't made progress, especially in the absence of justice, equality and job opportunities for citisens, in addition to the abuse in the strategies adopted by the authorities. Therefore, professionalism and awareness is required at work. Thank you.
lindapsycho Posted 2008-04-23
Psychology in the Maghreb aims to fight the existing conflicts between people by all scientific means. But it doesn’t get much support in the educational and governmental spheres. Therefore, researchers in this field are restricted to theoretical research and issue opinions without testing them in the field.
هناء Posted 2008-06-29
I, too, since I was young, I dream of becoming a psychologist. I have in fact gone to university after getting the baccalaureate. I discovered that psychology is associated with philosophy. To sum up, I got my bachelor degree in psychology in 1987. But I haven’t found in Morocco any opportunity of work or the educational speciality except a higher education degree and of course studies without any prospects. I had then to access to the teaching sector may be I could find in this sector what I was looking for. However, diagnostic and treatment are different because the problems of students are associated with their social status. This is not in the hands of the psychologist or pedagogical consultant.
moufti Posted 2008-07-07
I think that the mental health professionals in Morocco are not doing their work. Simply put, they give out medicine without first doing an analysis of the recipient’s mental health. Thank you
svpp je veux de l'aide Posted 28 days ago
Hello, I have a brother who has been schizophrenic for nearly 20 years. His condition is getting work and worse. I was young when we noticed his illness, and now he has become more violent than ever with my mother and, in fact, my entire family and friends. We suffer in silence, especially my mother, because there are no hospitals that work with this type of illness. He is going to end up killing someone. I am afraid it will be me or even someone else. Everybody is afraid of him. We do not know what to do. There is no solution for this in Morocco. There are no establishments or hospitals to even help us deal with him, as he has become aggressive. He goes off saying anything, insulting people who do not deserve it. He hits people and he even fights with the police. They told us that it none of their business. Well then whose business is it??? I do not understand my family. I am afraid of him. He is a big guy and he would like to kill somebody. Please! Please! Please! I am depressed because of him. I cannot pray to God anymore that he will die, My entire family lives in sadness and we are ashamed in front of our neighbours. I need the address of any establishments that will accept patients with this type of illness. I beg you. I feel myself at a total loss when I look at him and how I cannot do anything. I hate him! He is the cause of our misery! Just give me an address (if it's bouya omar tell me what to do)
michel boyon Posted 27 days ago
I am a psychotherapist and I would like to practice in Morocco. Could you give me some information concerning the what steps to take or whom to see about getting into this. I am enthusiastic about this. -Michel
peter8528 Posted 21 days ago
I am new to this blog. But found it very interesting. As i read about i think Moroccan people do need more mental health professionals. Can anyone tell where can i find more details about this topic. ========================================================= Peter
رؤية Posted 1 day ago
Since I was young I hoped to become a psychologist but conditions didn't help me. Really in the Arab Maghreb there is no psychology. I think that if there were specialists, it would have been better. I hope that this campaign will be very beneficial and effective. God willing, oh Lord.
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