At present, many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region have developed action plans and started implementing activities to address mental health and psychosocial support as part of their national response to the #COVID19 pandemic. We will regularly share experiences from countries in the Region to keep you updated on what is happening on-the-ground to support people’s mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic.

Iraq

In its national response plan for the #COVID19 pandemic, Iraq included a component on the provision of mental health and psychosocial support services.

Currently, Iraq is providing online training to frontline workers, including healthcare providers on mental health and psychosocial aspects of #COVID19, stress management, stigma, gender-based violence and psychological first aid.

It is also providing mental health and psychosocial support services to people in isolation and quarantine.

Additionally, Iraq is maintaining mental health services and the availability of psychotropic medications across primary health care centers, community health clinics and mental health units.

A number of nongovernmental organizations in Iraq are providing distant psychosocial counselling services through multiple helplines.