( dpa ) - The terrorism and chaos of Iraq has led to a manifest increase in mental health problems among the country's residents, according to the results of a study announced Wednesday by the Iraqi Health Ministry.
Around 35 per cent of all Iraqis suffer from serious mental health problems, the study produced with the cooperation of the World Health Organization (WHO) showed.
An adviser to the ministry, Mohammed Rashid al-Obeidi, told the Al-Sabah daily, that more women (about 40 per cent) were affected than men (30 per cent).
In many cases, these problems led to alcoholism and severe psychological disorders. In addition there has been a related increase in violence among families.
"The reason for this increase is the security situation in the country in the past years," said al-Obeidi.
Stating that there was little in the way of treatment in Iraq for psychological disorders, al-Obeidi suggested the establishment of psychological counselling stations at state health centres.