Morocco Mental Health Crisis: Patients Abandoned on Highways

The Moroccan Association for Mental and Psychological Health is concerned about information circulated in recent days in the media and on social networks. These reports indicate that people with psychological disorders were allegedly transported and then left in situations of homelessness in Taroudant, Inezgane, Berrechid and in areas near the highway.

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The association clarifies that it currently has no evidence to confirm all of these facts or to identify any potential responsible parties. However, it believes that the repetition and severity of these testimonies justify a serious and transparent investigation.

Such practices, if confirmed, could constitute a violation of fundamental rights and the dignity of particularly vulnerable people.

Patients, not a problem to be relocated

The association reminds that people with psychological or mental disorders are citizens with the same rights as others. They cannot be considered a burden that a city could get rid of by transferring them elsewhere.

Moroccan legislation and international conventions guarantee them in particular access to care, social protection and support that respects their dignity.

Several videos circulated online also show people in a state of psychological distress causing damage or disrupting public spaces. The association warns against using these images to fuel fear, stigmatization or justify their exclusion.

According to the association, these scenes would above all testify to the inadequacies of medical and social care, as well as the lack of structures capable of providing lasting support to these patients.

The organization calls on the competent authorities to establish the reality of the facts, determine any responsibilities and strengthen mental health services, housing facilities and social reintegration mechanisms.

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It also says it is ready to work with the institutions concerned to build lasting solutions based on a medical, social and human rights-respecting approach.