Study: One in Five Moroccans Struggle with Depression, Rural Areas Hit Hardest

As part of the preparation of this report, a questionnaire was sent to more than 25,000 citizens of the Middle East and North Africa. The questionnaire was based on potential mental health problems encountered in their countries. The study presents Morocco and Algeria with 20% and 15% for Sudan as being less likely to feel depressed.

These results are linked to recent war experiences as well as ongoing conflicts (the war in Iraq and Palestine). For Tunisia, the causes may be related to the transition phase.

The same report indicates that rural residents in Iraq, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco are the most likely to report depression, compared to the urban population.

Regarding stress, 35% of the population in the entire region often feel tensions. In order, the table indicates the Tunisians, the Iraqis and the Jordanians, then the Egyptians, Algerians, Sudanese and Kuwaitis, notes Hespress.

In addition, the fact sheet presents some of the main findings indicating that in Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco and Algeria, rural populations are more likely to report stress.

No substantial difference between urban and rural populations in Jordan. People living in refugee camps in Palestine, on the other hand, are more likely to report stress.