Ben Ahmed incident sparks mental health debate in Morocco

Due to an incident in the city of Ben Ahmed, a national debate has reignited surrounding the fragility of the mental health system in Morocco. 

According to the Moroccan government-friendly Hespress on May 3rd, the chronic shortage of psychiatric professionals has left authorities struggling to respond to rising needs throughout the country. 

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched a national programme to address what officials have described as a significant shortfall in mental health resources. 

At present, Morocco has only 3,230 professionals in the mental health field, according to Health Minister Amine Tahraoui. 

This figure includes 319 public sector psychiatrists and 294 in private practice, alongside 62 child psychiatrists in public hospitals and a striking 14 in the private sector. 

In contrast, there are approximately 17,000 psychiatric nurses. 

Despite government efforts, the minister noted that the demanding nature of the profession and the many years of training required continue to discourage new medical graduates from entering the field. 

Karim Belmokadem, secretary-general of the National Union for Public Health, attributed the shortage and lack of interest in psychiatry to “the difficult and unique working conditions in psychiatric hospital departments.” 

“In public hospitals, psychiatric care often involves severe cases that require constant attention and special care. This level of intensity demands a genuine passion and dedication, which is not easily developed,” Belmokadem said. 

He compared the conditions in psychiatric wards to those in prison medicine, contrasting them with private practices that offer a more comfortable work environment and typically involve less severe cases. 

He also underscored the lack of adequate infrastructure and material resources, indicating that new doctors are often reluctant to work in psychiatric units due to inadequate conditions and insufficient support. 

Belmokadem called for a doubling of the mental health budget and a targeted strategy to strengthen and retain human resources. 

This, he said, should be achieved while also addressing broader social and familial factors that contribute to the crisis. 

Dr Taib Hamdi, a physician and health policy researcher, dismissed the notion that the years of training deter students from pursuing psychiatry. 

Instead, he attributed the profession’s lack of appeal to low financial and moral incentives in the public sector. 

“Psychiatry and forensic medicine are not attractive specialities for young doctors in Moroccan medical schools, especially when compared to surgical and other lucrative fields,” Hamdi said. 

The stigma surrounding mental healthcare, particularly in Moroccan society, was another issue he cited. 

He specifically noted that public perceptions of psychiatry remain negative compared to many other countries. 

 As Morocco moves to reform its strained mental healthcare system, experts stress that lasting change will require more than just policy. Tackling stigma, investing in infrastructure, and making psychiatry a viable career path are seen as essential steps in addressing what many describe as a growing national mental health crisis.

Hespress. Maghrebi