Mental Health Education and Training in Iraq: An Overview

Iraq has a long history of humane approach to care of persons with mental disorders. However, in recent times, development of mental health care and education had many ups and downs, largely related to the instability of the country. Currently there is a program of 3 to 4 weeks training for undergraduate medical students and 2 month training in psychiatry for the medical graduates during internship. About 10 postgraduates are trained annually for 4 years to become psychiatrists. The training programs for other mental health professionals remain largely underdeveloped. Recent years have seen efforts to rebuild the mental health program of Iraq including education and training of mental health professionals.