Yeetle Box - The Myth of Mental Illness

A study, conducted by the World Health Organization and the Iraqi government, found that Iraqis have suffered from a surprisingly low rate of severe mental disorders such as PTSD, which officials said indicated resilience in the face of decades of war and hardship. Military officials were encouraged with the results of the study as it sets the stage for repeated future invasions without concern for "civilian causalities."

The findings showed that nearly 17 percent of a random sample of 4,332 Iraqis over the age of 18 surveyed had suffered from a mental disorder in their lifetime, ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder to depression. Relatively speaking, this is a very low number, giving the WHO and the Iraqui government confidence that they can eradicate mental illness in the beleaguered country.

"This ability of the Iraqi people to overcome difficulties gives great hope for a better future," Iraqi Health Minister Saleh al-Hasnawi said at a conference to release the report. "We have to fight the discrimination against those who have cured themselves of mental illness. We believe we owe a great debt to our 'Pee On Mental Illness' initiative. We have issued key chains to those who do not demonstrate any signs of mental illness." (Below)

Much has been documented about the mental effect of war on the U.S.-led forces in Iraq, but the study sought to cast attention on the Iraqi people.

Nearly 70 percent of those who suffered from a mental disorder also said they had considered suicide - suicide bombing, that is. The authors said the overall figure suggested that Iraqis have adapted remarkably to trauma as a way of life after nearly six years of brutal conflict and previous suffering under Saddam Hussein.

"They eventually get inured to the stress. They have challenged the psychiatric community by overcoming all kinds of mental disorders. It has become a part of life," Kessler said. "Democracy has taken root, and we are pleased."

Iraq's mental health system, along with other institutions, has been depleted of professionals after many fled the country to escape the violence. Those who stayed behind sought to understand this phenomenon and have suggested that routine bombing, destruction, and invasion by a foreign force might prove key to eliminating common psychiatric disorders in the United States.

Researchers said they were particularly surprised by the relatively low number of cases of PTSD — just over 3.5 percent of respondents. But even those were suspected as Iraq has experienced a high degree of malingering as the United States efforts have had such a positive side effect that Iraq is becoming known as the mental health country of the world.

"The most important finding here is the decreasing prevalence of mental disorders, particularly PTSD, across the generations," said Mario Maj, the president of the World Psychiatric Association. "This may be a function of the intergenerational increase in sectarian violence, and the key to solving a significant problem of our returning soldiers."

"Society should know that mental problems are important. They should know that they can be addressed," Maj said.

The YeetleMaster