Iran Psychotherapy Scientific Association Issues Warning Over Rising Mental Health Disorders
The Iranian Scientific Association of Psychotherapy sent a letter to the Minister of Health, pointing to the increase in mental health disorders in the country and calling for “necessary decisions and essential measures” to be taken.
The Iranian Scientific Association of Psychotherapy has issued a warning to Behram Einollahi, the Minister of Health, regarding the consequences of mental health disorders in a recent letter.
The association cited “economic recession and increasing unemployment, severe reduction in household income, and intensification of economic inequality” as reasons for the rise in these disorders in Iranian society, and called for necessary measures from the Ministry of Health.
The letter states that given the circumstances where disadvantaged and deprived classes have, for the second consecutive year during the COVID-19 pandemic, “turned to isolation and reduced social contact, or faced job loss and reduced income, and have lost previous social assistance,” the increasing trend in these disorders is inevitable.
The letter describes “advocacy for improving social and economic conditions considering its consequences for public health” as a primary responsibility of the Ministry of Health, and emphasizes that this institution should “prioritize mental health and engaging relevant scientific associations and bodies.”
The Iranian Scientific Association of Psychotherapy has called upon the Ministry of Health to “make necessary decisions” in combating mental health disorders and demanded “implementation of appropriate measures, necessary planning, and supervision of these programs.”
Over the past two years, deteriorating economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded Iranians’ problems and fueled depression across society. Many experts have warned about declining life expectancy and increased suicide rates.
They have expressed concerns about the consequences of economic hardship and the failure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in a timely manner, and have warned about post-COVID mental health disorders that will affect broad segments of society.
Source: DW
