About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Speech and language therapists assess and treat difficulties with language, speech, voice, swallowing and communication in children and adults.
Getting mental health care in Iraq
Public health system · Ministry of Health public health services
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, whose 2015 National Mental Health Strategy aims to integrate mental health into primary health care with a community-based approach. WHO and the ministry train non-specialist staff in primary health care centres to identify and manage common mental disorders (mhGAP). Specialist inpatient care is concentrated in a few psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad (Ibn Rushd and Al-Rashad) and psychiatric units in general hospitals, and there is a recognised shortage of psychiatrists. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Iraqi Medical Association (Doctors' Syndicate, Niqabat al-Atibba). Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Iraqi Medical Association. Ask the psychiatrist for their syndicate registration.
Urgent help in Iraq
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 122 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: emro.who.int, emro.who.int, odihpn.org, shafaq.com
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a speech therapist do?
A speech therapist assesses and treats difficulties with communication, language, speech, voice, fluency and swallowing. Day to day they might help a toddler say their first words, a child with stuttering or reading-related language problems, an adult recovering language after a stroke, a teacher with voice strain, or an older person with swallowing difficulties. They also guide families, teachers and carers.
When to see a speech therapist
Consider a speech therapist if a child’s speech or language seems delayed or hard to understand, if there is stuttering, persistent hoarseness or voice loss, difficulty finding words after a neurological event, or coughing and choking when eating. Sudden loss of speech or swallowing needs urgent medical attention first. For learning difficulties beyond language, an educational psychologist may also help.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Iraq cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, whose 2015 National Mental Health Strategy aims to integrate mental health into primary health care with a community-based approach. WHO and the ministry train non-specialist staff in primary health care centres to identify and manage common mental disorders (mhGAP). Specialist inpatient care is concentrated in a few psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad (Ibn Rushd and Al-Rashad) and psychiatric units in general hospitals, and there is a recognised shortage of psychiatrists.
How do I check that a speech therapist is licensed in Iraq?
Iraqi Medical Association (Doctors' Syndicate, Niqabat al-Atibba): Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Iraqi Medical Association. Ask the psychiatrist for their syndicate registration.