Jordanians fear stigma and neglect their mental health



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In Jordan, fear of social stigma hampers demand for mental health services, which are often needed

Few Jordanians use psychiatrists or psychiatrists for advice or treatment for a previously diagnosed disease. In the private sector.

Many Jordanians, like other Arab countries, badociate psychological counseling exclusively with major mental disorders. This is the case of Mohammed al-Abadi, who told Al-Arabi al-Jadeed that "despite the pressures that I have experienced sometimes in a context of social and economic conditions, I did not think a only once to go to a psychiatric clinic or a psychiatrist ". Such follow-up is necessary, he says, "only in situations where the normal life of a person is threatened, which hinders his communication with people and society, and not if you suffer from minor problems such as mourning caused by separation, material loss or loss of work ". "I have never visited a psychiatric clinic," Lana Said told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed. "There is a negative outlook for those who visit such clinics, I have built this community and I know it very well." "I have had difficult times because of family problems and I have suffered a lot, but the idea of ​​seeing a psychiatrist avoided me whenever I had the time Sometimes it healed the effects of our life. "

"We all have mental health issues, to varying degrees, but there are subtle cases and mental disorders that need to be followed," said Dr. Fidaa Abu al-Khair, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of California. Private University of Amman. A broad concept such as physical health and maintenance of mental health means the ability to adapt to pressures and react appropriately so that some, and others, follow the necessary treatments with specialists.

"There are no precise statistics in Jordan on the number of psychiatric patients, but we are part of the world and the prevalence of these diseases varies between 20 and 25%," she said. To get treatment, Tabu (mental taboo) is a fear of the community. "Stigma is one of the main reasons for not seeking treatment, and many community members are afraid to reveal a psychologist's review," she said. stressing that "stigmatization must be brought about by various governmental and private institutions, as well as by the media. Psychological at the workplace. "With lifestyle changes, people are under great economic and social pressure," she said, inviting anyone with psychiatric symptoms to see a doctor, including changes in appetite, sleep disorders, interests, fear and stress. "Durable."

"The high cost of psychotherapy in the private sector is another reason for not using treatment – instead of $ 30 per session, it is estimated that in a difficult economic situation," she said. "Mental health services are provided in public medical institutions and mental disorders are covered by public health insurance, but there is a shortage of specialists in public hospitals as well as in private hospitals", a- she declared. Abu al-Khair continues, "One of the most important problems facing people is their lack of awareness and the fact that their parents are not aware that they are suffering from a psychological problem. But those who claim to have a solution exacerbate the suffering of the people involved, delay their treatment and improve their situation. "

In Jordan, spending on mental health accounts for less than 3% of the government's total health expenditure, of which almost 90% goes to hospitals. According to official statistics, some 200,000 visits to the clinic (visits) Psychiatry is registered every year in Jordan and a doctor specialized in public clinics examines between 40 and 50 cases per day. The coverage of mental health in Jordan is also covered by public health insurance plans and 70% of the population has easy and free access to essential psychiatric drugs. Private Health Insurance Almost everything about mental health was included.

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