BAORD plan to expand existing counselling offered in Iraq zoom, particularly to those who self harm or have suicidal thinking. This project would subsidise 250 more counselling hours and 50 more support group hours, to those who are in need. In 2022 there were three times more male suicides than female; highest age group was 22-38 years for men and 20-35 years for women. BAORD seek to offer help and hope to those struggling with poor mental health.

Challenge

There is an increase in self-harm in Iraq, starting at age 10 but mostly among adolescents, the homeless, refugees and those who have experienced abuse. Provisional figures for suicide in 2020 show that the age group most affected is 16 - 30 years, with men losing their lives three times more than women. Covid has exacerbated mental health problems due to isolation and fear. Most counseling support is concentrated in the cities, while less is provided in central or western Iraq.

Long-Term Impact

Once a person finds purpose for their life and addresses negative thought processes they are better equipped to be productive in their families and communities. Offering a reliable counselling service in a situation where there is limited support provides a community with a resource that offers hope if members of their own families are affected by suicidal thinking. This impacts not only the person being counselled, but their whole family as well. We aim to address isolation

References

1. http://www.baord.org

Additional Documentation

https://www.globalgiving.org//pfil/56893/projdoc.docx

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