Study Reveals: Over 25% of Moroccans Face Depression Amid Mental Health Resource Shortage

The study also showed that 9% of Moroccans suffer from anxiety disorders, 5.6% from mental disorders, 1% from schizophrenia, 2% from excessive alcohol consumption and 1.4% from alcoholism. Unfortunately, Morocco has 306 psychiatrists who are unable to cope with the ever-increasing number of people suffering from depressive disorders. These are statements made by Fouad Mekouar, from the Moroccan Association for Support, Liaison, and Initiation of Families of People with Psychic Disorders (Amali).

In a note published by the daily L’Opinion, Fouad Mekouar specified that Morocco has only 2,225 beds dedicated to mental health, distributed among 34 establishments that provide treatment in psychiatry and addiction. This figure is below the norm, and the picture is similar in many countries. Last August, the WHO issued a statement in which it expressed its concerns about access to mental health care.

According to the institution, with the COVID-19 pandemic, access to this type of care could be even more difficult for patients. In Morocco, Amali denounces a poor distribution of resources dedicated to the treatment of these disorders. 60% of its resources are concentrated in Casablanca. Likewise, Fouad Mekouar indicates that the sum of 90 million dirhams allocated for the purchase of psychiatric drugs is insufficient.

But for Prof. Mohamed Agoub, a psychiatrist and president of the Mental Health League, there are private initiatives that are trying to invest in prevention to help curb the increase in cases of depressive disorders. He specifies that the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement have increased the number of people suffering from these types of illnesses.